Arsenal want Emi Buendia transfer irrespective of Martin Odegaard

Arsenal are preparing for a situation they’d rather not need to plan for. Martin Odegaard playing in anything other than red and white again next season is simply unacceptable.

A bit like when you were being told something you didn’t want to hear so you’d cover your ears and make loud noises to drown out any incoming sound, mentions of Martin Odegaard not returning come the end of this season are being strongly ignored. It simply can’t happen.

But Arsenal are not prepared to go into this battle without something to show for it, as they scour the continent and beyond for potential alternatives to the Norwegian wizard.

Or maybe not alternatives, after all?

https://twitter.com/NorwichCityFC/status/1375410380667768836

Arsenal want Emi Buendia summer transfer irrespective of Martin Odegaard future at Real Madrid

Everyone will remember Emi Buendia. For about two months he was the best player on the planet and the solution to all of Arsenal’s attacking woes. When he inevitably didn’t sign for the club he drifted back to supporters’ peripheries, such is the timeline for every half-decent player linked with the Gunners.

He hasn’t quite ‘drifted off’, however; Buendia is having his best season at Norwich shirt to date. In fact, it’s just his best season full stop.

With ten goals and 13 assists in 31 Championship outings, the Argentine’s contributions are playing their part in Norwich’s seemingly unbreakable charge to a league title and immediate promotion back into the Premier League.

Arsenal were heavily interested in the 24-year-old’s services during the summer transfer window as they bid to add creativity into their side, and when the winter window approached it was revealed that the Canaries would be open to holding talks with the Gunners over the next plan of action.

As per Football League World, Arsenal are still heavily interested in Buendia and will explore the possibility of a permanent summer transfer even if Odegaard returns to north London next season – but only if it’s on a loan deal.

As is the case with almost all of the dealings Arsenal will look to make at the end of the season, they are heavily reliant on what finance could be accrued from winning the Europa League and returning to the Champions League.

The pair are players the club are keen on, but do they actually need both?

Do Arsenal Need Emi Buendia and Martin Odegaard?

If, and it’s an ‘if’ we’ll hear plenty of, Arsenal win the Europa League then they’re in dreamland. It’s tough to put into words just how transformative it will be to everything Arteta is trying to build.

Financially it will allow them to go out and pursue deals like a £40m move for Buendia, while realistically they will be able to cast their wider to players who desire Champions League football.

As for the two mentioned, they operate in different positions so it isn’t a like for like. Buendia isn’t a natural winger by any means and loves drifting centrally and picking up room in the half-spaces, much like Arteta is asking of Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka. The full-backs provide the width so Buendia doesn’t have to, even if he loves being the widest point of progressive triangles.

His quality is evident and seeing the trajectory of his career is hugely encouraging as he continues to improve week upon week. However, should Arsenal do as hoped and get back into elite European competition as well as secure Odegaard on loan, they won’t suddenly be stinking rich. £40m may be a figure they can part with but that doesn’t imply there will be another £40m lying around for someone else.

With losses next year that are projected to top £200m, adding to the £50m from last year, and the struggles they’ll have getting good prices for some of their players with clubs all dealing with their own financial woes, what money they have must be used in the right areas.

Buendia would be most welcome, but Arsenal are thin in midfield and lacking at full-back, while a striker looks set to be imperative with so many futures uncertain.

The top clubs strengthen when they’re at their strongest. Arsenal can’t add the a cherry on a cake that is still baking.