Mikel Arteta’s stance on playing Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard in same XI
Mikel Arteta insists Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard are capable of playing together at Arsenal – despite both men operating primarily as No.10s.
Odegaard sealed a loan move to the Gunners from Real Madrid last week, joining Arteta’s side until the end of the season after growing frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities at the Bernabeu.
The Norwegian was given a 10-minute cameo off the bench in last Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United, replacing Smith Rowe late on to make his Arsenal debut at The Emirates.
He has also been named as a substitute for their clash with Wolves on Tuesday night, with Smith Rowe again starting ahead of him in the No.10 slot.
When asked if he was tempted to start Odegaard at Molineux, Arteta said: “When you see them training and how much they want to play and everyone is pushing because they want to be involved, you think about every possibility.
“But it’s true that he hasn’t been here long enough and maybe he needs a little bit more time.”
Odegaard and Smith Rowe both thrive as No.10s, yet Arteta believes he can find a way to fit them into the same Arsenal XI.
The Spaniard played down talk of Odegaard competing with Smith Rowe for a starting spot and instead claimed: “They can play together. Good players can play together.”
Odegaard has already managed to impress Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who has told the club’s supporters to be “very excited” by their new recruit.
“I think we should all be very excited because he is an attacking midfield player who is turning, wants to go forward, wants to play passes and create chances and have assists,” said Leno.
“In his first days he has been very impressive and has been very open to everyone, and I think we will have a lot of fun with him in the next months.”
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Odegaard has spent six years at Madrid, having secured a £3million move from Norwegian outfit Stromsgodset in 2015.
The 22-year-old only has 11 Los Blancos appearances under his belt, nevertheless, with nine of them coming this season.
His latest switch to Arsenal is the fourth time he has been loaned out by Madrid.
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