Arsenal: 5 positives and negatives of Martin Odegaard transfer

5. Can Arsenal Do Better Than Martin Odegaard?

Odegaard is an excellent talent who spent six months in the middle of a COVID-19 struck season, in a new league, with new teammates, with a new style of playing, and with niggling injuries amid a catastrophic Arsenal campaign. There were the occasional dips here and there, but there is clear mitigation.

Can Arsenal do better, though?

There were matches, or at least spells in matches where Odegaard had gone missing. He’s an orchestrator of tempo who yearns for possession of the football, so when Arsenal yield that for lengthy spells he has the tendency to be left fairly purposeless.

High profile fixtures against Liverpool and Chelsea saw his lack of defensive output rears its head. Not a strong tackler by any means, he also ranks very unfavourably for blocks, interceptions and duel success. When Arsenal are with their backs against the walls, pace in front of him is where he can excel and drive the team up the pitch, which he can’t do with a mazy dribble or progressive carry. It’s not where he flourishes.

Thus there are limitations to his game that are highlighted depending on the structure and control Arsenal have on a particular match. Equally, keep the ball and try to break down deep defensive lines and there are few others you’d want on the ball.

Are there more well-rounded options on the market? There are so many players of this ilk that Arsenal could pursue.

What it comes down to is the manager’s vision of the team, and it appears he craves an overseer in that No. 10 whose intelligence to read the play and pick the passes that his teammates can complement with their own abilities.

Arsenal need what he brings to the table, yet also maybe a little bit more. While not elite yet, the scope is there for Odegaard to reach that potential. However, some may just prefer it now which can’t easy to say after two eighth place finishes.