Arsenal have completed the signing of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid. So let’s take a look at the difference the Norwegian midfielder can make to Arsenal’s side.
Mikel Arteta has kept his 4-2-3-1 formation for the 21/22 season, and despite giving Emile Smith-Rowe the number 10 shirt, Arsenal still lacks a playmaker to lead their assault.
They’ve added Gabriel, Thomas Partey, Ben White, and Sambi Lokonga to the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, and Kieran Tierney during the last 12 months.
Despite a quiet loan spell at the conclusion of last season, the Norwegian would be an excellent acquisition.
He won’t solve all of their problems, but he will provide Arteta with a brilliant playmaker to build around.
Odegaard, while not a second striker like Bruno Fernandes or Thomas Müller, does pose a threat with late rushes and penalty kicks, like he did against Brighton.
Another aspect of Arsenal’s offence against Brentford that was missing was the latter.
Kieran Tierney was always in strong crossing situations, but he only crossed ahead on the penultimate line to aim for.
When you throw in Odegaard, you have a cutback option that could have saved the day against Thomas Frank’s Bees.
Overall, adding Martin Odegaard doesn’t totally solve Arsenal’s difficulties, but when he’s fully fit, he gives them a much more competitive team.
Even without the loan experience, his inclination to play from the right channel fits Arsenal’s best squad, allowing Tierney to maintain width, Smith-Rowe to occupy the left channel and even drift centrally to connect up with Odegaard, and Saka to cover the right flank.
With Saka and Odegaard ahead, this setup could lessen the requirement for an attacking right back, with Callum Chambers or Ben White plausible choices.
In fact, two of Odegaard’s second assist passes against West Ham went to overlapping Chambers, allowing him to cross first time.