Martin Odegaard Tackle: Manchester City midfielder Rodri has made headlines for his reckless challenge on Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard. It was during Spain vs Norway, Euro 2024 qualifier in Malaga when a rash tackle left Odegaard in pain. But fans have not taken it lightly. Some have accused Rodri of trying to injure Odegaard intentionally. It should be noted that Arsenal are Premier League leaders while Manchester City are the only close opponent. Follow Premier League LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN.
How is that tackle by Rodri against
Ødegaard not a penalty? Spain need to be investigated for paying Ref like Barcelona. Arsenal still need that guy fit abeg. pic.twitter.com/Pf2ykgvT6x— Tierney & Saka (@babyface2000ad) March 25, 2023
Odegaard received the ball in the penalty box and was about to take a shot on his left foot for the goal, Rodri came flying in as his brutal tackle left the Gunners to captain lying on the ground in agony.
The La Roja secured a comfortable 3-0 win over the Norwegian side, with Dani Olmo and Joselu’s brace on the scoresheet. However, the tackle of the Man City ace on the Arsenal captain made all the headlines. Arsenal are currently eight points clear at the top of the Premier League eyeing their first league title since their invincible season of 2003/04.
However, Manchester City are in second position with a game in hand. The defending champions are aiming to take down the fight for the title until the end. Odegaard is one of the standout players in Arsenal’s dressing room and captain of the pack has 10 goals and seven assists in 27 league games.
The Red side of North London understands the importance of the Norwegian to the proceedings. After watching a brutal tackle from Rodri, the fury of the Emirates faithful is understandable.
Mikel Arteta won’t appreciate how his former employer’s ace went in on one of his most important players. But he will be relieved to see the Arsenal man not injured which could have easily injured Odegaard and kept him out of action for a long time. But just like Arsenal’s season where nothing is going wrong, and the entire universe backing them, Odegaard stood up and completed the whole game with all the prayers of the Arsenal partisans.
The footage of the tackle soon surfaced on social media, as numerous Arsenal supporters claimed Rodri’s poor tackle was intended to dent Arsenal’s surge for the League title. One particular user tweets, stating, ‘I’m convinced Pep Guardiola instructed Rodri to take out Odegaard from the face of the Earth.’
Another weighed upon to add, ‘That Rodri challenge on Odegaard in the box…blatant pen. Leg breaker. Wow.’
‘Good timing by Rodri with his challenge on Odegaard. On a serious note this is the most obvious attempt to injury an opponent I’ve ever seen,” another fumed. “He hasn’t even made contact here yet and O’s shot already traveled all that way…’
A third one shares a sentiment to claim, ‘Absolutely horrible foul from Rodri on Odegaard, Incredibly, no penalty given, Rodri under Pep’s orders to injure our captain?’
Premier League: SHOCKING! Manchester City’s Rodri accused of ENDING Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard season with HORROR tackle during Spain vs Norway game, Details here
Moreover, the officials completely got it wrong to continue the play at that moment annoying the visitors for not awarding a penalty, as Odegaard was left flabbergasted.
Speaking after the game, Odegaard told TV 2, ‘I’m pretty sure I should have had a penalty,’
‘But I’m sure I’ll get punished [if I say anymore]. I don’t bother saying anything else about the referee. It’s better not to say anything.’
On the other hand, the title challenge now gets even more heated after the incident at Malaga, and on April 26 a mouthwatering game at Eithad awaits as Arsenal travel to Etihad for a title decider and Rodri and Odegaard will go head-to-head once again.
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