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Arsenal: Martin Odegaard masterclass at West Ham makes signing imperative

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal has a shot on goal whilst under pressure from Declan Rice and Tomáš Souček of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at London Stadium on March 21, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal has a shot on goal whilst under pressure from Declan Rice and Tomáš Souček of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at London Stadium on March 21, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Martin Odegaard
Arsenal: Martin Odegaard masterclass at West Ham makes signing imperative. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Arsenal must drain the bank to sign Martin Odegaard. Whatever it costs, whatever the sacrifice, he is worth every penny. After a pulsating 3-3 draw with West Ham on Sunday, the summer plans can be split into two sections: the Odegaard pile, and the rest.

A shocking 35 minutes of football from the visitors, the worst under Mikel Arteta, had nothing to be joyous about other than the Norwegian midfielder.

Second best in every duel, slow to every second ball and devoid of any notion of control, the only cog moving in the machine came via the left foot of Martin Odegaard; and indeed his right.

Since joining in the winter, each fixture he’s played with Arsenal has been an improvement on the last. The expectations placed on him before his arrival were high, but countered with an acceptance that fitness and understanding needed to be built gradually and it would take time to see the talent in action.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1373682798125547527

Arsenal must do all in their power to sign Martin Odegaard in the summer from Real Madrid after his West Ham masterclass

Odegaard has exceeded everything.

A turgid opening against West Ham saw a general lack of willingness and urgency across the board. The attitude and carelessness of the whole team seeped into the performance. Only Odegaard ran the hard yards, added guts to the guile and looked like creating moments of invention.

Regularly heralded is his sublime first touch, one that is always followed by two or three more of equal elegance. And elegance is a key word, as everything he does oozes class. Gliding across the pitch in a measured, yet menacing manner and the ability to pick a pass, he is everything Mesut Ozil could, but hadn’t been, at Arsenal for so many years.

For a player with such technical ability and being the profile he is, how he can control matches with his character above else, is remarkable. Going out into battle, you want those alongside you who will run themselves into the ground. Odegaard’s head barely pokes out over the turf.

Arteta has to ensure he is playing football at Arsenal again next season. Sadly, it grows increasingly likely he will not.

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