Arsenal: 2 players to benefit from new centre-forward signing

Martin Odegaard Will be in Dreamland With a New Striker

Martin Odegaard is now Arsenal’s key creator. That is what he was signed for and he hasn’t disappointed in that regard.

Just one glance at the numbers enlightens those who need not be enlightened: Odegaard averages 2.38 key passes per 90 minutes, which puts him in the top 3% in Europe.

They’re quite spectacular numbers. Looking at the Premier League alone, since November no player has created more chances than in him in the division. He’s ahead of Bruno Fernandes and Kevin De Bruyne in that department.

With a striker in front of him who runs in behind, comes short to create space for others and offers real presence in the centre of the pitch, the Norwegian will, as the say these days, ‘be cooking’.

Already with Nketiah in the fray we’ve seen movement in behind and chances created in that fashion, with two such opportunities created by Odegaard in the first of the 3-1 win over Manchester United alone.

Elite creators need elite attacking talent in front of them. Odegaard flourishes already as it only requires a quick viewing to see how majestic and technical he is on the ball, with expert vision and deftness of pass, thus adding a high calibre centre-forward widens the potential for his creation.

It remains to be seen who the club sign in the summer, but whoever it is will be a significant upgrade on what they have now. Odegaard’s numbers will soar.