“If Saka is out of the team, maybe they don’t struggle as much” - Shaka Hislop suggests 25-year-old star is more important to Arsenal than Bukayo Saka

Former Premier League goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has claimed that Martin Odegaard is more important for Arsenal than Bukayo Saka. He believes that the Norwegian's absence was felt more on the pitch than the Englishman or William Saliba.

Hislop said on ESPN FC that Saka and Saliba are key players for the club but not as important as Odegaard. The pundit added that the Gunners would have been in a much better position if the club captain was fit for all matches and said (via TBR Football):

"Yeah I think so, to your point about Martin Odegaard, I'm not sure if this list was done two months ago, Martin Odegaard would be top, but because of the injury, you realise how important Martin Odegaard has been to Arsenal. We would've said something completely different a month or two ago."

"If Bukayo Saka is out of the team, maybe they don't struggle as much as they have the last two weeks, the same with Saliba and Gabriel, if both are out, then Arsenal have a problem, but if one is, you feel the other can make up for any slack. Arseňal have coped without Declan Rice because of suspension earlier this season and you feel it wouldn't have as big of an impact as we've seen with Odegaard. I have no problem with that list for Arseňal," he added.

Martin Odegaard picked up an injury in the September international break and was out until mid-November. The club captain made his first Premier League start since the injury against Chelsea last week and assisted the goal scored by Gabriel Martinelli.

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Kai Havertz named as Arsenal's most important player ahead of Bukayo Saka

Pundit Darren Bent heaped praise on Kai Havertz earlier this season and labeled the former Chelsea man as the most important player at Arsenal. He claimed that the German could play different roles and thus was more crucial to Mikel Arteta's success than the Englishman.

He was on talkSPORT when he named Havertz as the key player for the Gunners this season and said:

"There's an argument now that he's Arsénal's most important player – and that includes Saka. He can play in a number of positions, as a No 9, a No8, he's comfortable in possession."

"He scores goals, he's brave, the most league goals he ever got for Chelsea in a season was eight and the most assists he got in a season was three. He got 13 [for the Gunners] last season, seven assists, he's become vital, he's just score three games on the bounce," he added.

Kai Havertz has scored four goals in 11 Premier League matches for Arsenal this season. He has another two in the Carabao Cup, while he has scored just one in four UEFA Champions League matches.