How Arsenal could lineup with Martin Odegaard vs Man Utd in Premier League clash
Arsenal’s new midfielder Martin Odegaard could have a key role to play in the huge Premier League clash against Manchester United.
The Gunners have brought in the Real Madrid youngster on loan until the end of the campaign.
After impressive spells on loan at Vitesse and Real Sociedad, the 22-year-old has only made nine appearances this season.
And his arrival in north London comes just when an opportunity has arisen to slot into the starting XI.
Mesut Ozil, the Gunners' No.10, left the club earlier this month as he ended his £350,000-a-week contract for Fenerbahce.
With the German making his last appearance for the club in March, Mikel Arteta said the 32-year-old’s “quality will be missed”.
But that is what Odegaard would being, sitting in an midfield three behind in-form striker Alexandre Lacazette.
Scoring seven goals and making nine assists for Sociedad as an attacking midfielder, he has the credentials to provide support for the Frenchman up top.
The Norwegian would be joined by Bukayo Saka on the right and Nicolas Pepe on the left, with captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out for the foreseeable future.
With both pacey wingers scoring in the 3-1 win over Southampton, the can also benefit from the 22-year-old’s creativity that earned the move to Madrid aged 15.
If Odegaard does sit in the No.10 position, though, it would mean taking it away from Emile Smith Rowe.
The Englishman has been in super form, grabbing three assists in six consecutive league starts.
He suffered some “muscular discomfort” on the south coast and could make way for the new arrival against United.
Sitting behind Odegaard would be Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos, stepping in for Thomas Partey who limped off after the Saints win.
While Rob Holding and David Luiz, who have been unbeaten together for the last three games, would marshal the defence in front of goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
Hector Bellerin would be on the right while Kieran Tierney, who has taken some knocks, is “hopeful” of being at left back.
Odegaard spoke to fellow Madrid loanee Dani Ceballos a lot about his move – and their texts about the Gunners have emerged.
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