Arsenal have brought in Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid on loan. If he can get fit, he could provide a much-needed creativity boost.
Martin Odegaard's Real Madrid career was being set up to fail right from the start, when he joined the club just over a month after his 16th birthday back in January 2015.
The fact he remains their player six years on is testament to the Norwegian's talent, persistence and level-headed attitude, as his first couple of years at the club seemingly had people willing him to fade into obscurity.
From unnecessary speculation relating to his wages and exaggerated suggestions that his presence threatened the future of Madrid's academy, to murmurings that his arrival upset the harmony of Real Madrid Castilla's squad – life wasn't made easy for him early on.
For the most part he has managed to keep his career on track and has shown why he was so highly rated as a 15-year-old bursting on to the scene at Stromsgodset, impressing in a series of loan spells, but Odegaard now has another challenge in front of him.
He joins Arsenal on loan for the rest of the season in a move that will surely shape the next major step he takes in his career, whether that is kicking on at Real Madrid or moving elsewhere permanently.
While first-team football has been difficult to come by at Madrid this term, it's easy to see why Arsenal made their move for the attacking midfielder.
A REAL GEM
If there are any Arsenal fans questioning why they have moved for a player who has made just three starts for a – let's be frank – unspectacular Madrid side this season, it's worth recalling the amount of talent Zinedine Zidane has struggled to incorporate and subsequently discarded in recent years.
Marcos Llorente, Achraf Hakimi, Sergio Reguilon, Theo Hernandez, James Rodriguez – you could potentially even add Isco to that list in the not-too-distant future. All are fine players generally thriving elsewhere, but Zidane was seemingly unconvinced by them.
Injuries haven't helped Odegaard's cause this term, but his form with Real Sociedad on loan last season demonstrated just how impressive he is when given consistent opportunities – and it was revealed in July that he had been suffering with a chronic knee issue for most of 2019-20.
The 22-year-old created 62 chances in LaLiga last term, a tally only beaten by five other players, one of which was predictably Lionel Messi.
That gave him a key pass frequency just under 0.5 every 90 minutes, which again ranked very highly among players with more than 30 chances created – six had better records, though his 6.8 xA (expected assists) rating was third only to Messi and Jesus Navas.
He also offers a great threat from set-pieces, with 27 of his key passes coming from dead-ball situations. This is an area Arsenal have struggled, as their 20 chances created from set plays is the fourth-fewest in the Premier League this term.
Odegaard was a major catalyst for La Real's largely impressive campaign, as they reached the Copa del Rey final – which is still due to be contested later this year – and finished sixth in LaLiga.
Arsenal fans will hope he can have a similar impact in the second half of the 2020-21 season, particularly given their lack of creativity at times this term.
WHERE WILL HE STRENGTHEN ARSENAL?
At La Real, Odegaard was often deployed from the right side of the attack in a 4-3-3, but given he is most comfortable on his left foot, he would routinely cut inside and wreak havoc in the middle.
While he spent more time on the right flank, with 38.3 per cent of his touches occurring in the right third of the pitch between the halfway line and the edge of the opposing area, much of his best work was carried out more centrally.
Indeed, 31.1 per cent of his key passes and assists came from the middle third of the pitch just outside the box.
Arsenal have been much less active centrally and on the right flank, with just under 12 per cent of their assists and chances created stemming from play in the middle of the attacking half. They aren't much more effective on the right, which will likely not come as a surprise to Gunners fans given the largely underwhelming form of Willian and Nicolas Pepe.
Odegaard's display in the September 2019 defeat at Sevilla was something of a microcosm of much of what he was good at last season, with his late assist for Portu seeing him come in off the right and play a disguised pass into the right side of the box for his team-mate to finish. Earlier on, he had taken up possession in a central area and sliced open the Sevilla backline only for Willian Jose to skew wide.
In both situations he showed great poise, a trait he has combined with his wonderful ability on the ball, as demonstrated by the fact he played 19 key passes after ball carries – Messi (30) had the most and was one of only five players to better the Norwegian in this area.
THE RISK OF SHORT-TERM LOANS
The addition of Odegaard will add some welcome creativity to Mikel Arteta's squad, the Gunners having managed 23 goals from 230 attempts (excluding penalties) - slightly below their 25.2 xG - so far in what has been a topsy-turvy 2020-21 season.
Arsenal players have collectively created 26 Opta-defined "big chances", well adrift of the league-high 43 recorded by Manchester City in 2020-21. While this only includes shots that have been specifically assisted by a pass, it does highlight a creative deficiency.
Emile Smith Rowe has impressed of late, contributing three assists in open play, but no individual has created more chances for them in the Premier League than Bukayo Saka, his total of 23 putting him one above Kieran Tierney. It is clear they need greater threat in central areas, and Odegaard should offer that.
But, while he is undoubtedly a fine talent, Arsenal fans should be wary and patient – Odegaard hasn't featured regularly this season so cannot be expected to be sharp, and this move is another instance of upheaval in a fairly short period of time after leaving La Real for a return to Madrid. It would unfair to assume he will find his stride immediately.
Short-term loans in the second half of a season are often risky and Odegaard will likely take a little while to get up to speed. If he adapts quickly, his arrival could be a masterstroke – but if he doesn't it could be a wasted few months for both parties.
Arsenal will hope he's not another Denis Suarez.
lehcelnopz
0
ukarinihere
kayabdeksz
1
he will be fine for the team
wupcdikosu
2
Liverpool line up vs west ham
Wapeilmno
0
do h
Wapeilmno
2
all winig
bizZ
0
This way
Besaimrsy
1
real Madrid trasper news
Dhaneshraj
0
What arsenl need now is a solid striker, they should make a move for dzeko
Hipbcdlmt
0
Zidane must be sacked
PepRichie
0
odegaard will be like the guy in red trying to improve arsenal
[image]
I'm not sure that's true
Efemeshach07
1
Any player that is available Arsenal is ready to collect
ajasaemma2004
0
u got it wrong man. I said the way zidane is treating isco I think he should have gone to arsenal instead. and odegaard is still young he should play for small clubs like sociedad, villareal etc. arsenal is too big for him. if je doesn't for 2 or 3 matches I doubt arteta give him more minutes over Smith rowe.
Oh ok
AnkitDhakal
1
God knows how and when....
Gunners4ever❤
0
He is a great player. Arteta need to use him well...
beaudouin
0
[image]
Great lineup..but Xhaka has been outstanding recently i don't think Arteta is gonna drop him anytime soon the guy have been excellent together with Partey...so definately is gonna be either ESR or Odegaard for the number 10 role
sozcdilryz
6
odegaard will be like the guy in red trying to improve arsenal
i_dont_care
0
And Isco is 22?
exactly... compared to isco... only achievement Ødegaard has is being 22 years old
Millyracks
7
All Arsenal needs is Messi 😏 because as this report stats Messi is found far better . Messi can create plays and score I don't need any arguments
piycdimp
3
he and the goalkeeper that also just side and play shit so that arteta can get sacked and fucking leave my wonderful club. arteta take your plays and your shit strategy and do us all a favor and fuck off
cauekpsu
0
Nothing can save them
AN707
1
Very smart from arsenal.
Kewbelstuy
0
Odegaard can’t be compared to Isco because Isco has a lot of trophies and individual awards
And Isco is 22?
PAARTHBAKSHI07
2
The only thing you can do, is play cricketm
now man i am bad it too
CR7nly
0
Odegaard can’t be compared to Isco because Isco has a lot of trophies and individual awards
u got it wrong man. I said the way zidane is treating isco I think he should have gone to arsenal instead. and odegaard is still young he should play for small clubs like sociedad, villareal etc. arsenal is too big for him. if je doesn't for 2 or 3 matches I doubt arteta give him more minutes over Smith rowe.
ajasaemma2004
0
arsenal wanted isco from us but they got odegaard. isco must be crying inside. odegaard make the best use of this opportunity and show zidane his what he is capable of.
Odegaard can’t be compared to Isco because Isco has a lot of trophies and individual awards
CR7nly
1
arsenal wanted isco from us but they got odegaard. isco must be crying inside. odegaard make the best use of this opportunity and show zidane his what he is capable of.
yeebceiopu
1
By going back to school 🏫 and learn how to play the game of soccer ⚽️
mermabel
4
some kids are not patient and are disobedient. you have to fight for your place in the few chances you are given. madrid has the best midfield trio in the world, you have to work hard and compete before you remove one of them and enter just like valverde does last season. There is always competition, now modric worked hard and regain his position. And we all know valverde is ahead of odegaard. We suffered in the start of the season because we give some players chance (jovic, odegaard, isco, Marcelo some few), but when we stick to one lineup (13 players) we regain our form and start winning. So my advice for the young players is to be patient, any player that do what odegaard does now do not succeed
D10S_LM10
1
He is a great player. Arteta need to use him well...
PorkPunter
1
the only thing he will learn at Aresnal is how to play in Europo league
The only thing you can do, is play cricketm
PorkPunter
1
He can improve us by playing exceptionally well.
Immanuel2
4
I predict his the next ozil
lord_henry-14
0
He can improve Arsenal with his work rate and technicality
Alaan_10
1
Firstly, you have to remember what arsenal did to Ozil and play.. Secondly, you must remember what i say in the first 2 line.
alextiger
0
the main question is: will he be getting playing time and how can Arsenal improve Odegaard?
PAARTHBAKSHI07
5
the only thing he will learn at Aresnal is how to play in Europo league
Oiz
0
I hope he brings the wonderland football to England, Thomas has an experience they should click Martins is a positive and eager to win footballer. All the best with him and Arsenal.
ManUnited-Red
0
can
yes, he can
Aminu341
0
I don’t know who you are 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
This not All Barcelona 🤡 go and download Barca’s app if you only want their news 🤡
vnsakashsingh
1
[image]
this is our way of playing and this is why each and every club in the world respect us and love playing against us we should adapt this once again. plus a good defence and going deep for defence is also a part of the game . what we were playing in our first half of premier league was with 2 CDM now we have to shift to this . Cause we were lacking forward passes.
saycilmns
0
[image]
It has to be either SR or MO at a time. You can't play both at once because you will weaken the defense part of the midfield. Xhaka and Partey or Partey and Ceballos or Elneny and Xhaka or Elneny and Ceballos or Xhaka and Ceballos are midfield options. Just my opinion
Bocdeklns
0
You are the real 🤡 Where did you see Barcelona in this Article
I don’t know who you are 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
Aminu341
0
This has nothing to do with Barcelona 🤡🤡🤡
You are the real 🤡 Where did you see Barcelona in this Article
Brightberry
3
He is not going to improve Arsenal, Arsenal will be the one to improve him!!! He need to be is best to be in the first Eleven
Bocdeklns
0
This has nothing to do with Barcelona 🤡🤡🤡
SiveNxasana
2
they will improve each other, Mikel is like a friend to all youngsters of Arsenal, he'll get along with Martin
jeznstuy
1
look on James the he's good and happy i knon Martin will be good
lavenesh
0
he can get more game time?
can
vnsakashsingh
6
MessiDeBrune
0
I have this guy in my fifa 21 team