Odegaard complains about new Premier League rules
In the 60th minute of the match at Selhurst Park in the second round of the English Premier League on August 21, Tomiyasu received a yellow card for buying time for a throw-in. Seven minutes later, the Japanese defender pulled Jordan Ayew down from Crystal Palace's ball and received a second yellow card, leaving Arsenal without a man for more than 20 minutes.
"The referee was a bit heavy-handed with the first yellow card. Tomiyasu wasn't trying to buy time, he just didn't have anyone to coordinate the throw. The new rules put us at risk, but we players have to adapt." Odegaard said August 22.
In the Premier League this season, the referees are instructed to be more strict to control the waste of time. In addition, they will determine the total time the ball is dead due to interruptions, such as goals, celebrations, substitutions, injury or free kick preparations, and make up at the end of each half. Each match is therefore likely to last more than 100 minutes, instead of 90 minutes.
"That's the new law, and there's nothing we can do about it," Odegaard continued. "Players are now more easily booked and have to be careful. We'll have to keep that in mind, but we shouldn't be so preoccupied with the rules, we need to focus on the game."
At the post-match press conference, coach Mikel Arteta said he did not know how long Tomiyasu held the ball before being penalized for buying time. But he also immediately corrected himself when the BBC Sport reporter announced the number of 23 seconds. "Not so. I think it's only 8 seconds," replied the Spaniard, and said that the referees need to use a stopwatch to ensure consistency in decision-making.
Despite having to play less than 20 minutes, Arsenal still beat Crystal Palace 1-0 thanks to Odegaard's penalty in the 54th minute. This is the first time the Norwegian midfielder has kicked and scored from a penalty in the league, since wore the Vitesse shirt in the match against De Graafschap at the Eredivise in May 2019. He is also the third player to reach 10 away goals after Erling Haaland and Harry Kane (both with 16), since the beginning of the Premier League last season.
In the opening match at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal also struggled to beat Nottingham Forest 2-1. Odegaard was not surprised by how hard the home team started. "The beginning of the season is always risky, when the players have not found the rhythm, the top form. But the important thing is that we still win and continue to improve," the Arsenal midfielder said. .
Arsenal, Brighton and defending champion Man City are the clubs that maintain a winning record through the opening two rounds of the Premier League. On August 26, Odegaard and his teammates returned to the Emirates to receive Fulham.
