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By TUM BALOGUN Published: 05: 11 AEDT, 26 February 2025 | Updated: 08: 40 AEDT, 26 February 2025 43 View comments Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent has issued a scathing assessment of Martin Odegaard's performances this season. The Arsenal skipper has come in for criticism after his display in the Gunners' 1-0 home defeat by West Ham, which looks to have ended any hope of the side claiming the Premier League this term. Mikel Arteta's men had the chance to close the gap on the leaders Liverpool with a win against the Hammers but their latest stumble opened the door for the Reds to move 11-points clear at the top of the standings. This term has proved to be especially crushing for the north London club and their fans, who have seen the side finish as runners-up in the last two campaigns. And Bent believes that the Odegaard's form has been a significant factor in what looks to be another unsuccessful season. 'He was appalling against West Ham. He hasn't been good since coming back from injury, ' the former Spurs striker told talk SPORT. 'He had a little flirt where he looked like he might be back but two Premier League goals this season, three in total. 'His performances haven't been good enough. Don't get me wrong, he's a wonderful footballer but there's too much flicks and these little scoop passes, just shoot! ' Martin Odegaard has faced criticism for his performance in Arsenal's 1-0 defeat by West Ham Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent believes the Norwegian's display against the Hammers was appalling Mikel Arteta has insisted that his team will never stop fighting for the Premier League title Minor mitigation for Odegaard's form, and indeed of the team as a whole, is injury. The Norwegian missed more than two months of the campaign with an ankle issue. Meanwhile, the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have all missed significant time, with the latter two ruled out for the rest of the campaign. Despite their issues, and ahead of a tricky trip to the east Midlands to face Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night, Arteta insisted that his troops will never stop fighting to claim the club's first top-flight title in 21 years. Asked if he would concede the title, Arteta said: 'Over my dead body. If not I will go home. 'Mathematically it is possible. Three days ago we could close a gap and you are like 'you are one-and-a-half games away'. 'The difficulty is higher than three days ago but if you are going to win the Premier League you have to do something special. 'If you are going to win the Premier League with the circumstances we have you will probably have to do something that nobody else has done in the history of the Premier League. ' Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group