Why 'special' Martin Odegaard is the perfect Mesut Ozil replacement and a 'win-win' for all parties
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 20/01/2021 at 20:16 GMT
Would Martin Odegaard be a good signing for Arsenal in the January transfer window? The Real Madrid playmaker has been linked with a move to the Emirates and, in the third Eurosport show in partnership with The Beautiful Game Podcast, our experts analyse the pros and cons of the signing and discuss more of the other big topics in the transfer window.
Martin Odegaard of Real Madrid CF runs during the La Liga Santander match between Levante UD and Real Madrid at Estadio de la Ceramica on October 04, 2020 in Villareal, Spain
Image credit: Getty Images
Martin Odegaard would be an “amazing signing” for Arsenal and an ideal replacement for Mesut Ozil, according to our transfer experts.
The 22-year-old midfielder has reportedly asked to leave Real Madrid on loan as he wants more regular first-team action and Sky Sports News say the Gunners, who already have Dani Ceballos on loan from Real, have made an approach.
Odegaard has only started three times in La Liga this season and was left out of the Copa del Rey squad to face Alcoyano on Wednesday.
Marca report that Odegaard may head back to Real Sociedad on loan, but with Ozil heading for Fenerbahce, could he be the perfect replacement at Arsenal?
In the third Eurosport vodcast in partnership with The Beautiful Game Podcast, Deji Odedina, Justin Cole and Marcus Foley agreed that moving to the Emirates would be a good move for Odegaard.
“It would be an amazing signing for Arsenal fans,” said Cole.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2021/01/20/2975129-61058388-2560-1440.jpg)
'An amazing signing' - Why Odegaard is the perfect replacement for Ozil
“Martin Odegaard will have the right mentality because he has a point to prove. It won’t be like Isco, who is at a different point in his career. This is a young, hungry player who wants to play regularly, and from Arsenal’s standpoint, they are really lacking a creative player.
“Emile Smith Rowe has injected some creativity, but to place the entire burden on his shoulders is a bit too much responsibility at that age.”
Odedina thinks it would be a “win-win move” for Odegaard and Arsenal, who are the lowest-scoring side in the top half of the Premier League.
“When I watch him he is something special. He cuts in from the right on that left foot, plays the slide-rule pass to attackers, he is a striker’s dream. Do I think it will happen? Arsenal need creativity. Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have brought something but Odegaard would really help the attack.
“There are no strings attached with a loan. He can come in, get his minutes, show what he is about and go back, so it’s a win-win for both parties.”
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2021/01/14/2971244-60980808-2560-1440.jpg)
'Man City should be in for him' - Ings deserves CL stage
There were expectations that Odegaard would feature regularly for Real this season after impressing on loan at Real Sociedad last season.
However, he was left out of the squad to face minnows Alcoyano and seems as though he is going to leave the Bernabeu again.
He joined Real as a 16-year-old in 2015 but has been sent on loan the last three seasons as he has struggled to secure a first-team place.
“He would be a perfect fit at Arsenal,” said Foley. “Arteta has a style where it’s possession dominant but at times it can be a bit sterile. Some of the passes Odegaard made for Sociedad last season, there was one that took out the whole defence and the goalkeeper!
“It would be pressure free in some respects too because Arsenal are on an upwards trajectory. They are not second in the league, where there would be pressure straight away, they are lower and he can take more time to bed in.”
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement