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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Freddie Keighley

Martin Odegaard gives verdict on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang exit after Mikel Arteta row

Martin Odegaard admits "it is always sad" to see teammates depart - but he is confident Arsenal can flourish in front of goal without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Mikel Arteta chose to offload Aubameyang to Barcelona in the January transfer window having stripped the 32-year-old of the captaincy and exiled him one month earlier.

The Gabonese returned to the United Kingdom later than agreed from a trip abroad in what proved to be an irreparable blow to his relationship with his manager.

Aubameyang was the Gunners' main source of goals for four years after his arrival from Borussia Dortmund, and his exit leaves Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah as Arteta's only centre-forwards.

However, Odegaard insists everyone must chip in on the scoresheet and there is no "problem" in Arsenal's post-Aubameyang attack.

Can Arsenal finish in the top four without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the line? Have your say in the comments...

Martin Odegaard is confident Arsenal can succeed without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"I think it is the team's job to make sure we score goals, it is not up to one or two players," the Norwegian told Premier League Productions, per Metro.

"I think everyone needs to help each other and create chances for each other, and help each other in front of the goal.

"I am sure we have the qualities in this team to score many goals.

"Of course, it's an area we want to improve and we have to do a little bit better but I am sure we have the quality in the team and the way we play.

"I am sure we will create chances, so I don't see it as a problem."

Although Odegaard is upbeat about Arsenal's potential on the pitch without Aubameyang, he confessed it is never nice to see a colleague leave for pastures new.

The 23-year-old added: "I think it is always sad when players leave the club but that is up to the manager and the club to do those kind of things.

"Then we have to focus on the players that are here and I think we have a strong group, and an interesting team.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Barcelona (REUTERS)

"We need to focus on the players that are here and keep on improving and using our qualities."

Odegaard has impressed in the No. 10 role for Arsenal this season with four goals and four assists, while his fellow attacking midfielders have also shone.

Emile Smith Rowe is the club's top scorer with nine goals and Bukayo Saka has an eye-catching tally of seven goals and four assists.

Gabriel Martinelli was in a fine vein of form with six goal involvements in 10 league games prior to his unusual sending off against Wolves, which means he will be unavailable to face Brentford on Saturday.

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