Martin Odegaard is next Mesut Ozil with the work rate in Arsenal assessment
Arsenal have been told their potential new signing Martin Odegaard could be the perfect replacement for Mesut Ozil.
The Gunners are set to complete a move for the Real Madrid youngster within the coming days, with reports suggesting everything is in place for the Norwegian to sign.
Odegaard had been linked with a move to Real Sociedad, but it seems he has had his head turned by Mikel Arteta, who is said to have urged him to make the move.
Arsenal went into the January transfer window expected to sign a new playmaker, with Ozil set to depart.
Arteta decided the German didn’t have a place in his plans, with many feeling his poor workrate was a key factor.
And Norwegian football expert Simen Pedersen believes Odegaard is the perfect replacement because he will contribute going forward and work to get back.
“His technical abilities are through the roof,” he told Football.London.
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“For me as a Norwegian I've never seen a more technically gifted player in Norway's history ever. “And I'm not even exaggerating because he's that good on the ball.
“He's quick on the ball, his turns are quick, it's rapid. He doesn't have quite the highest pace, but in small areas he's really good with the ball.
“In a way he's similar to Ozil in the way he can open up a defence like he used to do for Arsenal with the genius passes.
“But he's also got the work rate that Mesut Ozil maybe didn't have, and I think that's going to fit in really well in the Arsenal team.
“And I hope that he's going to fit in as a number 10, because that is his best position if you ask me.”
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