NO new signings arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu last summer, but Martin Odegaard felt like one. Having enjoyed a sparkling season on loan at Real Sociedad, the Norwegian was recalled by parent club Real Madrid to finally fulfil the potential that saw the Spanish giants sign him at the age of just 16.
It was expected that Zidane would phase Odegaard into the first team to rejuvenate an ageing midfield unit, but game time has been limited for the 22-year-old to such an extent he has requested to leave Real Madrid again on loan this month. According to widespread reports, Arsenal will be his next destination.
Odegaard needs game time and Arsenal need a player in his mould. There’s good reason to believe this will be a good match, with the Norwegian arriving at a critical stage of the season for the Gunners. Even if it’s only on loan until the summer with no option to buy, this is a signing that could change the landscape for Arsenal.
Having weathered the storm of pre-Christmas, when Mikel Arteta appeared to be close to losing his job amid a seven-game winless run in the Premier League, Arsenal need to make some progress over the coming weeks and months and the signing of Odegaard should help them do this.
Martin Odegaard's 2019/20 record for Real Sociedad pic.twitter.com/5InLL0qmj9
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 22, 2021
The creativity has been missing from Arsenal’s play this season. Emile Smith-Rowe’s recent emergence as a first team figure has addressed this deficiency to a certain extent, but Arteta still lacks someone to get his side going from a slightly deeper position on the pitch. This is where Odegaard will make a big difference.
He hasn’t been signed to replace Smith-Rowe for Arsenal, but to play alongside him in a revamped midfield unit that will also include Thomas Partey, finally finding form and fitness following his summer move from Atletico Madrid. If Smith-Rowe is a number 10 and Thomas a number six, Odegaard will be the number eight in the trio.
Many predicted Odegaard would succeed Luka Modric at Real Madrid such are the tactical and stylistic similarities between the two midfielders’ games. Zidane doesn’t seem so keen on this notion, overlooking Odegaard for much of this season, but this comparison gives Arsenal an idea of what sort of player they are getting.
READ: Martin Ødegaard has proved himself to be Luka Modric's natural successor at Real Madrid
Last season saw Odegaard flourish into one of La Liga’s very best. Had he not suffered a dip in form following lockdown, he might well have been Spain’s Player of the Year. Zidane’s treatment of Odegaard this season has bemused, but it’s a good sign for Arsenal that the 22-year-old has asked to leave Real Madrid again.
Even as recently as two weeks ago, Zidane publicly pledged to grant Odegaard more first team football. "He is a beloved player and he will surely succeed here,” the Frenchman insisted. “He has not played much lately but the idea is to keep working hard; he will have minutes.” Odegaard, it seems, wasn’t so convinced.
Whether it’s in the Spanish capital or somewhere else, it’s clear Odegaard is determined to make a success of his career. Having been billed as the sport’s next big thing from a very young age, the Norwegian plays with a hardened mindset that betray his youthful appearance. Arteta needs more characters like Odegaard in his squad.
Arsenal’s misguided transfer strategy has led them to the signing of short-term solutions like Dani Ceballos and Willian recently. Odegaard will also be a short-term solution, but he has the potential to have a lasting impact on the Gunners. Young, hungry and highly talented, the Norwegian establishes a criteria Arsenal should look to fill with almost every new signing they make.
