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Arsenal: Emi Buendia & Odegaard statistical and tactical comparison

By Ross Kennerley

BARNSLEY, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Emi Buendia of Norwich City celebrates with the Sky Bet Championship trophy during the Sky Bet Championship match between Barnsley and Norwich City at Oakwell Stadium on May 8, 2021 in Barnsley, 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 James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
BARNSLEY, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Emi Buendia of Norwich City celebrates with the Sky Bet Championship trophy during the Sky Bet Championship match between Barnsley and Norwich City at Oakwell Stadium on May 8, 2021 in Barnsley, 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 James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Mikel Arteta
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta speaks to the media after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

Mikel Arteta’s No. 10 Plan Next Season

At this very moment the signs are leaning heavily towards Buendia being an Arsenal player next season, unless Emi Martinez doesn’t turn into Barry White and smooth talk his Argentina international teammate into moving to the midlands.

Working on the basis he arrives, where does he play? He is a right-winger by trade but is so often found in central areas and has the outstanding defensive statistics that make him of real value in the No. 10 slot. Equally, there is scope for a 4-3-3 system with the Argentine as the right-sided No. 8 – or the ‘double 10’s’ that Arteta likes.

Is that what the boss is going for? It does seem too soon to make that formation shift after one summer, and splashing out up to £40m on someone who isn’t naturally a No. 8 is an intriguing use of resources. So wonderfully well-rounded and with an uncanny ability to score goals, a trait that can’t in any way be understated, moving more centrally long-term does have potential, though.

As for Odegaard he has to be the No. 10. Granted the sample size is small, but when he lined up in a 4-3-3 last season the role didn’t suit him. He isn’t quick enough nor strong enough in the tackle. Thus his arrival would have to be in a 4-2-3-1 as the operator in the pockets.

If Buendia does come in, will Arteta do some further shifting? Buendia out on the right takes Nicolas Pepe out of the equation – which feels unjust – and opens the door for Saka on the left and Smith Rowe in the middle. Not the most physically imposing trio behind the No. 9 but one to salivate at the thought of. There are endless possibilities.

Conclusion: Perhaps this signing is more important than we think. Maybe there is a reason it’s one of the first ones to be worked on this summer. If Odegaard arrives then Arteta already knows how to line up; if Buendia is bought then the shape and system could merge in tandem.

Next. Fresh Bellerin interest. dark

Or, Arteta could break the KSE piggy bank and buy them both. Or, Arsenal could dally over fees and miss out on either. Please not the latter.

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