Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has discovered obvious Martin Odegaard replacement

Arsenal: Arteta defiant about future amid doubts

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Under-fire Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has discovered an obvious replacement for the departing Martin Odegaard in his side’s 3-1 win over West Brom. Goals form Emile Smith Rowe, Nicolas Pepe and Willian were enough to hand the Gunners three points after a horror week at the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta’s side were sent crashing out of the Europa League on Thursday, with the Spaniard coming under increasing pressure to be sacked.

But he received a morale boost at home to the Baggies, with Arsenal easing past Sam Allardyce’s side to climb up to ninth in the Premier League table.

It has been a disappointing season for Arsenal though, with the North London side set to fail to qualify for a European competition for the first time in 25 years.

That means there will be a summer overhaul among Arteta’s squad, with several stars set to depart the club.

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One of those stars will be Odegaard, who will return to Real Madrid when his loan spell ends at the end of the campaign.

The Norwegian has impressed since joining in the winter transfer window, emerging as Arteta’s first choice central attacking midfielder.

But while Arteta and Arsenal are keen to bring him back on a permanent deal, the lack of European football will make such a move highly unlikely.

The Gunners could attempt to bring in a new attacking midfielder through the transfer window, but the win over West Brom proved they already have such a replacement.

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Odegaard was left on the bench for the visit of the Baggies, with Smith Rowe instead playing behind Gabriel Martinelli.

The Englishman has emerged as one of Arsenal’s brightest spots of the season, scoring five goals and notching seven assists in all competitions before Sunday’s match.

He once again impressed playing in Odegaard’s normal position, opening the scoring for Arsenal just before the half-hour mark.

Willian played in Bukayo Saka on the left, with the youngster sending a cross into the box which Smith Rowe connected sweetly with to volley in.

Remarkably, that was the midfielder’s first ever goal in the Premier League, though Arteta will hope there will be many more to come.

The 20-year-old continued to threaten after the break, forcing Sam Johnstone to save a long-range shot soon into the second-half.

It was the latest in a series of impressive performances from the youngster, who has found his opportunities to play through the middle limited by Odegaard’s presence.

But with Odegaard now unlikely to return beyond this season, Smith Rowe has proven himself to be an obvious replacement in attacking midfield.
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