Arsenal: 5 positives and negatives of Martin Odegaard transfer

4. Potential Crossover with Bukayo Saka

As seen last season, Odegaard thrives as the No. 10 in a 4-2-3-1 who can drop into the right half-space. It’s where he’s most comfortable and threatening.

It’s also the similar areas to where Bukayo Saka (and Nicolas Pepe) like to operate in.

With Smith Rowe in the No. 10 there are no issues of walking over other people’s toes, unless Willian plays, in which case it’s inevitable; showing for the ball constantly ensures he’s never fixated to one zone on the pitch. He has no preference for space.

Odegaard loves that right half-space and with Saka on the right wing there is jeopardy of crossover. While fatigue and being overplayed contributed, following Odegaard’s arrival Saka only scored one more goal, coming in the Europa League against Slavia Prague – a game Odegaard didn’t feature in.

Both Saka and Smith Rowe need to contribute more on the goal front given they will be mainstays in the team next season and bringing someone in who may limit the output of one of them is cause for concern.

Odegaard playing does not, of course, mean Saka will never score again. There is a dynamic in that area of the pitch that is at risk of being overflooded but these are elements that can be worked on in training, of which there is plenty of time for without European football.