Tottenham Hotspur face maybe one of their toughest tests of the season this weekend as the Lilywhites take a short trip to the Emirates Stadium to face high-flying Arsenal in the North London derby. And while the Gunners are facing a couple of injury blows going into the game, Thomas Frank will look to make the most out of it to grab points away from the league leaders.
And this is where the Dane can think about starting Wilson Odobert on that left flank.
Odobert has had moments of brilliance since he signed for Tottenham, but he has never showcased his abilities on a consistent basis. Given his rawness, any time when he is put into a position of impact, you could see that impact fade a bit, given a lack of rapid decision-making or wrong decision-making.
But Tottenham need incision on that left flank. The North Londoners did see how Odobert changed the picture of two games in the space of four days before the international hiatus. He scored a goal against Copenhagen in that 4-0 win in the Champions League and then went on to secure an assist in that cameo off the bench versus Manchester United.
And that is exactly what shows how he can make an important impact on the game. And his form does warrant a start against the Gunners this weekend.
Odobert can be scary against Arsenal
Odobert also helps with the Udogie dynamic on that left channel. With Destiny Udogie always being quite keen to drive high and underlap. And this is where you want a left winger who can hold width whilst having the capacity to beat the first man and release the full-back into the space or roll inside to overload the half-space. Odobert is good at doing both.
The French youngster has that first touch in him which most of the time aids him to set himself to attack the defender’s outside shoulder, but then he always keeps his body angle in a way that makes him comfortable slipping inside to combine. And this is the kind of variety which forces the opposition right-back to make bold choices. It plays a domino effect as it ends up either opening the crossing lane or the cut-back zones where midfielders/attackers can arrive.
Given how good Timber has been this season, it will be difficult to beat him purely 1v1 when he is angled inside towards the winger. But Odobert can create a sense of uncertainty between Timber and Arsenal’s right centre-back, Saliba. This is something that Sunderland tried to do at times in the Gunners’ 2-2 draw before the international hiatus. Frank can try something similar but have a different way of executing that.
Odobert is also quite rapid, so if Arsenal are to push the gas pedal on the attacking side of things, then there is a chance that Odobert can have spaces to run into.
Odobert can help out of possession as well
When it comes to his abilities out of possession, Odobert’s legs give the Lilywhites a massive advantage.
Given that Arsenal always try to progress in a stable manner from their right flank, it is the first press from the left winger that shapes Tottenham’s block. And we know that Odobert closes quickly. He is also smart at it; he tries to funnel plays where the midfielders can bite if the ball is laid off into inside spaces.
Moreover, if Tottenham were to lose possession high up the pitch, then Odobert has the recovery speed to protect Udogie. This keeps the Lilywhites’ rest defence intact and reduces the emergency defending that has cost points late on.
Moreover, there are no alternatives to Odobert on that left wing which offers the same blend as the 20-year-old.
What other options does Thomas Frank have?
Richarlison being on the left channel pushes sequences more into chaos instead of control. And while the Brazilian international can be a great finisher on the last line, having him on the wing kind of stalls those attacking sequences a bit when Tottenham need to sustain pressure.
Then there is Brennan Johnson, who does remain a dangerous runner, but then he is better as a runner in the post role than when you need him on that left flank against Arsenal. Starting Odobert lets you hold someone like Johnson against tired legs.
Would you start Odobert against Arsenal at the weekend? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.