Arsenal: When Martin Odegaard Could Make His Debut

The imminent signing of Martin Odegaard to Arsenal has drawn widespread acclaim from numerous corners of the football world, both for the efficiency and shrewd nature of the acquisition.

Finding a creative midfielder in the January transfer market when your club is languishing in mid-table, down to the bare bones in regards to finance, has to navigate its way through pandemic-influenced market and requires a specific profile of player is an unenviable task. Arsenal have pulled it off.

Whether Martin Odegaard proves to be a success remains to be seen. Up until the point he kicks a ball and has a chance to integrate accordingly, the deal still has to be praised as a real coup.

It could all go horribly wrong for the 22-year-old and his impression in the six months he spends in north London may flatter to deceive. Yet for £2.5m he arrives as the most risk-free option the club could have secured. Hugely talented, hungry to succeed and in the right age bracket, the signs point to him being a valuable addition.

When will Martin Odegaard make his Arsenal debut?

When will he be able to see that in practice, though? As per the Irish Times and transfer guru Fabrizio Romanom Arsenal are hoping to have Odegaard available to make his debut for the visit of Manchester United in the Premier League.

One of a string of grueling fixtures to come over the next few weeks for Mikel Arteta‘s side, the addition of another creative option either from the bench or in the starting lineup is imperative considering the calibre of opponent that awaits.

The trip to Southampton will come too soon for the Norwegian, who will instead get four full days of training with his new teammates before an assessment is made.

After the visit of the Red Devils, seven matches in 25 days await for Arsenal, none of which can be classed as ‘easier’ fixtures. Wolves, Aston Villa and Leeds come after in the Premier League, followed by both round of 32 Europa League ties against Benfica, which sandwich a home clash against Manchester City.

Setting eyes upon that sequence will cause them to water, so you can’t help but imagine how worse they would be without creative cover. Odegaard will likely take time to settle into his new surroundings, but his presence even for brief spells to ease the workload on Emile Smith Rowe is significant.