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Arsenal handed Martin Odegaard transfer blow by Real Madrid

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on April 03, 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 Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on April 03, 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 Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Martin Odegaard
Arsenal handed Martin Odegaard transfer blow by Real Madrid as club have no intention of selling in summer transfer window. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Arsenal navigated their way past Slavia Prague in Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final barely breaking a sweat, a feat achieved without their captain in attendance or the creative nous of Martin Odegaard.

Other members of the squad were absent and it’s a testament to those who played and the man who set them up for not allowing those injuries to prove detrimental to the performance.

A defensive reshuffle changed the complexion of the build-up play and an effervescent front line ensured fluidity and energy remained present throughout. Despite that, there is still undoubtedly a place in this team for Martin Odegaard.

The Norwegian has been absent since the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool with an ankle problem sustained during the international break, and is continuing to work on his fitness as Arsenal host relegation threatened Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday.

Arsenal handed Martin Odegaard transfer blow by Real Madrid as club have no intention of selling in summer transfer window

His future remains a source of extensive speculation as Mikel Arteta plots another spell in north London for the midfielder either on loan from Real Madrid for the coming season or on a permanent deal; one heavily dependent on securing European football for next season.

Strongly rumoured is that Zinedine Zidane’s future in the Madrid hotseat will impact what takes place with Odegaard, as the 22-year-old has not been given the opportunities he’s longed for under his stewardship. Los Blancos have since turned their season around with them firmly in the hunt for a La Liga title and a spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Despite the vast improvements at the club and Zidane’s job looking safer than ever, Marca report that Odegaard is listed under their ‘untouchables’ list, alongside Vinicius Junior, Fede Valverde and Rodrygo Goes.

The quartet as considered ‘key pieces’ of the future alongside senior stars Thibaut Courtois, Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema, and will not be sold at any price in the summer.

Such news is a far cry from previous reports, those that had Odegaard listed as a £35m option for Arsenal, and other European sides, of which there are many interested, comes as a significant blow ahead of the summer transfer window.

Is it all a smokescreen? Do Arsenal need to push through despite Emile Smith Rowe’s brilliance?

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