Frank Leboeuf slams Arsenal star for failing to ‘take risks’ against PSG

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Frank Leboeuf has criticised Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard for his lack of creativity during the Gunners’ 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-final second leg.

Arsenal entered the match needing a comeback after a 1-0 loss in the first leg at the Emirates. However, despite starting brightly in Paris, Mikel Arteta’s side ultimately lost 3-1 on aggregate, with PSG booking their place in the final to face Inter Milan.

Ødegaard had an early opportunity to level the tie when his shot from the edge of the box was brilliantly saved by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. As the match progressed, PSG took control with goals from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi either side of half-time. Although Bukayo Saka pulled one back for Arsenal, they couldn’t complete the turnaround.

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Leboeuf, a former Chelsea defender, was particularly critical of Ødegaard’s performance, expressing his disappointment with the captain’s inability to create decisive moments in midfield.

“It’s crazy because you don’t want to criticise him,” Leboeuf said on ESPN. “We have the tendency to forgive everything that he does because he’s clean, he’s a proper player with a nice haircut, a moustache, and an elegant style. He’s a good guy and you want to be with him, but when you analyze everything he does, it’s too obvious, it’s too simple.”

Leboeuf continued: “There’s no risk, he doesn’t think, ‘I’m going to try that pass, and it might not be successful, but I’m going to try because if it works, it will create something different.’ He’s too clean, far too clean. In modern football, it’s okay, but it’s not enough, it’s really not enough.”

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He compared Ødegaard to former Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp, highlighting the difference in mentality: “Another player is Dennis Bergkamp – he was capable of taking risks and trying things only a few people on the field would be able to do. That is what Ødegaard is lacking.”

Ødegaard, who has struggled with form since returning from injury mid-season, admitted after the match that his team lacked the clinical edge to capitalise on their opportunities.

“It’s very painful to be honest,” said Ødegaard. “I think we started the game really well, on the front foot, took control of the game and created some big moments. But again, in the boxes, that’s where the games are decided, and we weren’t good enough.”

The defeat marks another missed opportunity for Arsenal, as their European hopes ended in Paris. With a top-five finish in the Premier League still in their sights, Arteta’s side will look to regroup and focus on domestic success for the remainder of the season.

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