EXCLUSIVE: Nigel Winterburn on Mikel Arteta, Ødegaard's form, summer transfer plans and PSG prediction
Joshua Kerr 
Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn sat down with the team at FreeBets.com to deliver a wide-ranging and honest assessment of Mikel Arteta’s side — from the PSG Champions League tie to Ødegaard’s form, the need for summer signings, and why Arteta remains the right man to lead the club forward.
Here's what Nigel had to say when speaking exclusively to the team at Free Bets...
On Arsenal’s 1-0 first leg loss to PSG — and why the tie is far from over
Q: How would you assess the first-leg at the Emirates on Tuesday, and where does it leave the tie from your view?
"It’s a huge game coming up, but the tie isn’t out of sight. That’s the key."
"Look, for the first 30 minutes PSG were outstanding. They dictated everything — the ball, the tempo, where the game was played. Arsenal couldn’t get near them. They scored early and kept us at arm’s length. At one point the possession was up at 72%. That’s total control."
"It’s only 1-0. That’s the positive. Even though PSG impressed with their control and threat on the counter, I still suspect that defensively they are vulnerable if you put them under pressure. Arsenal didn’t do enough of that."
"My gut says PSG were close to their maximum — Arsenal were way off theirs. That gives me belief. If we can up our level by two or three notches, which I think is realistic, we’re right in this."
"Partey should come back and Rice pushing further forward would give us more energy and aggression. PSG won’t think they’re through yet — it’s very much alive."
"I make it 55-45 PSG right now — but I still believe Arsenal will win on the night and go through after extra time."
Q: Did Arteta get his team selection right?
"Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but I don’t think Arteta had many alternatives. Injuries really limited him — he couldn’t rotate much and didn’t have too many options."
"We’ve had too many draws and not enough freshness. It’s hit our ability to change things up, but on the night against PSG, I don’t think there were many other choices."
"They were so aggressive at times. Arsenal couldn’t find an out. But I still think the tie is very much open."
Q: How do Arsenal approach the second leg?
We [Arsenal] need to deprive them of the ball more. They controlled midfield far too easily at the Emirates.
"Rice moving higher gives us more energy and pressure in key areas. PSG will make mistakes if they’re forced back — Aston Villa and Liverpool proved that."
"The question is can PSG play any better? Arsenal definitely can — that gives me optimism. We need to scare them a bit more and control the play better."
On Martin Ødegaard’s form, captaincy debate and who summer transfer plans
Q: What do you make of the recent criticism regarding Martin Ødegaard’s recent form?
"You can never really know how much injuries or personal things affect a player. What I do know is that he never hides. He still wants the ball and works hard."
"The issue is those killer passes — the ones that split defences. That’s the small percentage that’s missing right now."
"It’s about taking risks and the fans supporting him even when it doesn’t come off. That’s how Ødegaard will get back to influencing games in the way we know he can."
Q: Is there a discussion to be had about a potential captaincy debate, especially when you have leaders such as Declan Rice in the squad?
"Honestly, I see this as a non-issue. People often ask me what makes a great captain. When I played, Tony Adams was captain — and yes, he was fantastic — but it wasn’t about speeches or motivation for me. I motivated myself.
A captain’s job, in my view, is to set standards and support their teammates. They lead by example. Whether it's Ødegaard, Rice, or anyone else, I don’t care who wears the armband. Every player should take responsibility on the pitch.
We’re seeing that already — Declan Rice, for example, is vocal and calm under pressure. But all 11 players should act like captains during games. If something isn’t working, they should organise themselves until the manager intervenes.
In short: I understand fans talking about it, but for me, it doesn’t matter who’s captain. What matters is the collective responsibility and leadership on the pitch."
Q: What do Arsenal need in the summer transfer window if they are to improve?
"Arsenal need a striker — simple as that. Jesus and Havertz have been good, but it’s risky to go again without a specialist. Someone who can finish and change tight games."
They also need a wide player. Injuries exposed that this season — when Martinelli and Saka were out, there weren’t enough natural replacements."
"I’m not sure they’ll pay £125 million for Isak. Watkins interests me more — Premier League proven, works hard, scores goals."
"But the key is the type of striker. Do you want power and presence, or pace and movement? Only Arteta knows the exact profile he wants."
Arteta, PGMOL agenda and tensions with set piece coach
Q: Do you think PGMOL have an agenda against Arsenal?
I really hope — and I genuinely believe — that there is no agenda against Arsenal. If there was, that would imply the people running refereeing in this country are not acting with integrity, and I simply can’t process that idea.
However, I understand why fans feel frustrated. When you look at some of the decisions that have gone against us this season, you can’t help but wonder. Take Declan Rice’s sending off — I had a big issue with that. The defender kicked the ball at him, and yet he was sent off for supposedly delaying the restart. I didn’t see it that way at all.
Then there’s the Saliba penalty at Brighton. Would you see a penalty like that given again? Probably not. So yes, I get why people are upset — these decisions haven’t gone our way, and in other seasons they might not have been punished the same way.
But despite all that, I refuse to believe there’s a deliberate agenda against Arsenal. It would be completely wrong to think that way.
What do you make of the set piece coach? Seems to be a bit of tension between him and Arteta at present
To be honest, I didn’t notice anything during the game. People say they saw something, but I didn’t see it, so it’s hard for me to comment.
I’d find it very hard to believe there’s any real issue. Arsenal have been very good from set pieces this season, and ultimately, Mikel Arteta is in charge. If there was ever a problem, it would be dealt with quickly — the manager always has the final say.
In my playing days, we didn’t have specialist coaches like now, but even then, the manager controlled everything. If a coach became too involved, they’d be told to step back.
So no, I haven’t seen anything to suggest tension — and if there was, Arteta would handle it decisively.
If Arsenal finish the season trophyless, that’s only one trophy in the Arteta reign so far. Can we call it successful?
The one thing I'll say to is the better your team gets, the more frustration it gets when you don't cross the line in terms of winning something.
There will be huge examination obviously from certain supporters. They will question Arteta, they'll question the team's mentality. But the one thing I'll say is looking back to four years ago, five or even before Arteta came in, we were nowhere near close to winning a Premier League and somehow with this team and its capabilities, I still believe it's capable of winning a Premier League title. If we don't win anything, it will be a huge disappointment.
There have been key things this season, particularly injuries, which I've never ever seen in my time playing in 20 odd years and watching since I've been retired. So I still think Arteta, for me is the right man. I think he's done a terrific job, but you're always going to be judged at the end of it on. And I've said it all along that this team will have to win a trophy very soon before people start picking holes in not only this squad, but the manager as well. So I, you know, if were trophyless, I'd probably say the pressure builds onto next season, but there's no doubt in my mind.
We just spoke about players that you need, if they get them, I would assume that we're very close. If you keep putting yourself second, eventually you'll cross the line.
Q: Finally, given how Arsenal's season is still very much alive. What are your predictions for the return Champions League semi final clash in Paris?
I still believe they will comeback. I thought they'd go through after the two legs, although I thought the result would be more positive the other night.
It wouldn't surprise me if Arsenal win and it goes into extra time and then hold your breath, but I'm still positive we're going to go through after extra time.
