The brand new Odegaard has already signed for Arsenal however he isn’t performed a recreation

In Could of this 12 months, Martin Odegaard grew to become the primary Arsenal participant to get his fingers on the Premier League in 22 years.

No matter whether or not you assume he must be the official captain of this nice soccer membership, it was becoming that the Norwegian was the primary of the present squad to hoist the trophy into the air.

Odegaard was one of many first to consider within the Mikel Arteta venture. He signed in January 2021 on an preliminary mortgage deal, only a 12 months after Arteta was given the reins. He joined completely later that 12 months.

Since then, the skipper has been somewhat inconsistent. In 2022/23, he scored 15 targets in all competitions. Final season, he scored simply as soon as.

Why Odegaard has been Arsenal’s Participant of the Season

Whereas the 2025/26 marketing campaign proved historic for the Gunners, it was a very abject one on a private stage for Odegaard.

Having battled ankle accidents lately, the captain struggled for not simply type but in addition health. He regarded incapable of putting by the ball cleanly.

But, after an impressive World Cup for Norway the place he was the most effective gamers out in North America, the midfielder now appears to be like like he’s again to his greatest.

It began with a superb objective within the Group Defend towards Manchester Metropolis.

Christos Tzolis darted inside after which performed a ball in the direction of Kai Havertz. The German was so clever together with his play, leaving the ball for Odegaard, who sat down Gianluigi Donnarumma earlier than sliding the ball into the again of the web.

Since that second, Arsenal’s quantity 8 has been the shape participant on the membership, scoring 4 targets in eight matches this time period. At present, he’s on track for one of the best particular person marketing campaign of his profession.

Odegaard has his mojo again, and he is putting by the ball as cleanly as he ever has. That particular winner towards Napoli within the Champions League is proof of that.

The priority with Odegaard

The query surrounding Odegaard has at all times been: is that this a participant who can attain Kevin De Bruyne’s stage? Is that this a participant who can contribute one of the best a part of 30 targets and assists all through a single marketing campaign?

Say what you want about Manchester Metropolis’s prices, De Bruyne is undoubtedly the gold normal for a quantity 10 and that is who Odegaard has naturally been in comparison with all through the years.

REUTERS/Tony O Brien

Nearly as good because the 27-year-old has been to this point this season, the reply to that query is that he’s unlikely to achieve the identical stage.

There’s a purpose that Arsenal focused Morgan Rogers over the summer season and there’s a purpose the concept of signing Dani Olmo has additionally been floated.

Odegaard is a magician from a inventive standpoint, however his means to attain frequently has at all times been questioned. Positive, he is already scored 4 targets this time period, however he isn’t a ruthless finisher. That aspect of his recreation has frequently left one thing to be desired.

He is additionally not the quickest of gamers both. He can unlock a defence and he can choose a move however he isn’t a lot use in transition. That is a problem for an Arsenal workforce that lacks tempo. Because the departure of Gabriel Martinelli, they do not have an excessive amount of pace in any respect on the counter.

So, it could be time for somebody with a bit extra drive, a bit extra chunk from central areas.

How Arsenal can change Odegaard long-term

Probably the most pure long-term substitute for Odegaard is definitely Max Dowman. The 16-year-old is without doubt one of the greatest younger gamers on this planet and he is making waves already regardless of his age.

He’s the youngest goalscorer in Premier League historical past and, regardless of not taking part in a single league minute this time period, has nonetheless made an affect, notably scoring twice towards Ipswich City within the Carabao Cup.

However, what if Arsenal had one other Dowman on the way in which? Nicely, they might effectively.

REUTERS/Matthew Childs

He goes by the title of Holger Quintero. Simply 17 years of age, Quintero has by no means really performed for the Gunners and that is as a result of he isn’t formally an Arsenal participant but.

Certainly, he isn’t set to reach on the Emirates Stadium till the summer season of 2027, when he will likely be 18. Final autumn, the membership agreed a deal to signal not simply Holger but in addition his twin brother, Edwin, from Independiente Del Valle in Ecuador.

It’s possible you’ll effectively have heard of this membership. That is as a result of they delight themselves on having the most effective youth methods in world soccer.

In years passed by, they’ve produced Moises Caicedo, William Pacho, Piero Hincapie and Joel Ordonez. Nicely, the Quintero twins are the following cabs of the rank.

Whereas Edwin definitely has the best potential – he has already performed 9 occasions for the IDV first workforce and scored – Holger is a little bit method behind, however not by a lot.

{The teenager} is reduce from an identical fabric as not simply Odegaard however he is additionally a taller participant within the mould of the aforementioned Rogers.

Described as “one of the thrilling U17s in South America” by scout Jacek Kulig, he’s outlined as a “magnificent technical prospect with very good shut management”. That definitely sounds just like the Arsenal skipper.

One in all Quintero’s most interesting attributes is his means to carve open a defence. He is a mighty superb inventive participant however what units him aside from Odegaard is that he’s sturdy in transition.

Motion Photographs by way of Reuters/Peter Cziborra

In that regard, he is extra like a Rogers or De Bruyne. He is acquired tempo and he is acquired lengthy strides to assist him burst away from opponents.

Within the phrases of Kulig, he has “elite dribbling abilities and futsal-like ball management.” In consequence, Quintero appears to be like like the proper sort of participant to assist break down the numerous low blocks Arsenal play towards.

He isn’t fairly on the stage of his twin, however he is nonetheless one of many most interesting youth skills on this planet proper now. Get excited Arsenal followers, your long-term Odegaard answer is on the way in which.