Arsenal: Martin Odegaard masterclass at West Ham makes signing imperative

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.

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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.

Arsenal Must Do Everything to Sign Martin Odegaard

How realistic is it that Arsenal will have the Norwegian wizard playing in red and white again next season? After a performance like that, off the back of numerous other glittering displays, their chances look slim.

Zinedine Zidane, for whatever reason, doesn’t fancy Odegaard in his team. He’s had him on the books for long enough to make a decision on that, yet has bided his time and allowed him to leave on loan where he will play. Even he must now be seeing the light.

One can’t blame the 22-year-old for wanting to succeed at Real Madrid. A giant of the football world regularly challenging for titles, it’s a dream most young footballers have. He isn’t happy with his situation at present, of course, but in a two-legged race, Madrid will almost always come out on top against Arsenal.

Come the summer he will have two years left to run on his deal. Prime selling time.

Another season-long loan would be ideal, but Madrid would be foolish to sanction such a move, even if it benefits them in terms of development, as the 12 months he’ll then have remaining will damage his value.

The club need to move mountains to bring him back. This is a talent who, as witnessed, is only getting better. If this is him now, then the thought of what he could become in the future is frightening. He has immeasurable potential.

Figures of £40m have been mooted, which would be daylight robbery. Unfortunately, Arsenal aren’t blessed with money and they may not even be blessed with European football next season. A loan with an obligation to buy would be the perfect scenario. It’s a shame this sport doesn’t work on ideals.

Whatever it takes, however, get it done. He may very well go on to win Arsenal a European trophy this season.