![\"Stockport](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2271038331.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646\")
\t<\/div>Jack Wilshere believes Martin Odegaard must start against Fulham, insisting Arsenal are a \u2018different team\u2019 with their skipper in the heart of midfield.<\/p>\n
The Gunners can temporarily move six points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table with a win against Fulham on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Mikel Arteta\u2019s side are set to be without Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz, while Odegaard is a minor doubt for the game after his withdrawal in the secodn half against Atletico Madrid.<\/p>\n
The Norwegian midfielder has had an injury-affected campaign, which has seen him able to start just 15 league games so far this season.<\/p>\n
But former Arsenal midfielder Wilshere believes the Odegaard has to start against Fulham if fit, such is his importance to the side with and without the ball.<\/p>\n
\u2018With Arsenal, I think Odegaard is key,\u2019 Wilshere told talkSPORT. \u2018He\u2019s a player who takes risks. He\u2019s a player who, even out of possession, sets everything.<\/p>\n
\u2018I think he\u2019s had a few injuries this season, maybe lost a bit of form at times. When Martin\u2019s playing, it\u2019s a different team. It\u2019s a different team, and they look braver.\u2019<\/p>\n But Wilshere, who was part of Arsenal\u2019s academy coaching set-up under Arteta before moving to Norwich and then Luton Town, said he would like to see his former side get back to a more free-flowing style of football.<\/p>\n \u2018When Mikel first came in, it was about playing,\u2019 he said \u2018It was a big focus on build-up, on finding the free play, and they were really, really good at it. <\/p>\n \u2018I think then, as a coach and as a team, you always have to look for ways to evolve, to look for ways to change a little bit how you\u2019re playing, because teams will start to work you out. I thought Mikel\u2019s done that really well.<\/p>\n \u2018I think over the last few years, there has been a little bit of a change in style, but this is also not just Arsenal, right? You look at City and bringing Haaland in, and how they played into him a little bit more. <\/p>\n \u2018I remember playing against City in a cup final at Wembley, and then the goalie kicking it over all of us, and Aguero scoring. It\u2019s been around for a while.<\/p>\n \u2018Mikel has obviously thought that this is the best way to win the league. They\u2019ve fallen short over the last few years against the Liverpool team, against the City team that like to dominate the ball.<\/p>\n \u2018And Arsenal couldn\u2019t get it done. He obviously sees this as the way forward. At times, I would like to see them play a little bit more as well.\u2019<\/p>\n For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on ![\"Atletico](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2273234701.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=594\")
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