Theo Walcott believes Martin Odegaard 'needed a kick up the backside' and warned the Arsenal captain faces a battle to regain his place in Mikel Arteta's team.
Odegaard missed the thumping 4-1 victory over Tottenham on Sunday with a knee injury that has kept him out of action since October.
The Norwegian has effectively been replaced in the side by Eberechi Eze, who will be difficult to dislodge after his stunning hat-trick propelled the Gunners to a north London derby win.
Walcott said Odegaard would have been watching Eze's superb display with concern as he hopes to regain his place when he returns.