Creativity in a team’s play is highly underrated. Football has gone past the pass and shoot age, or playing long balls and hoping your strikers get them, with creativity, football has been evolved to a whole new level with tactical plays giving it more sauce.
Martin Ødegaard loan move to Arsenal awaits official confirmation. Photo Credit: Twitter
Yes, certain managers and teams have been able to build a different styles of plays over the ages, But it is kind of difficult to create goals without your midfield. Especially the Central attacking midfield players.
About seven years ago, a certain Norwegian, 16 year old kid was able to burst into scene when he represented his country Norway in an international match. He is fantastic , no doubt, so much that European heavyweights vie for his signature. In the end, it was Real Madrid who won the battle.
Odeegaard, 22, is a talented left-footed playmaker and because of his age and the nature of his parent club, Real Madrid, he has been subjected to many loan moves, and this has hindered him from establishing himself as a regular in a any team, yet.
The highlight of his career so far will be the loan spell at Real Sociedad in the 2019/2020 season, where he was able to showcase his talent, whilst playing regularly for the Anoeta club.
His golden touch of brilliance, and many top notch performances, Odeegard would have ranked comfortably well in the top five performing midfielder in the league, which is insane for a 22 year old footballer in a star studded LaLiga.
Martin Ødegaard has been restricted to limited playing time at Madrid this season. Photo Credit: Twitter/ Oddschanger
The Norwegian statistics were very impressive as he created 62 chances(6th in the league), 10 big chances(10th in the league), made 239 penalty entries(3rd in the league), and attempted 19 through ball( 2nd in the league). He also won the most possession in the final third in the league (63), 63 take ons completed and 10 goal contribution in 2532 minutes.
If these aren’t impressive enough, maybe we should compare him with many other attacking midfielders in the world and see how he would fare.
After a stellar campaign last season that saw Odegaard score four goals and six assists in the league, Madrid opted out of agreeing to another loan deal to allow the Norwegian Spanish return to Santiago Bernabeu ahead of the current season.
However, with the Real, under Frenchman Zinedine Zidane, the Norwegian has struggled for game time, and hasn’t been given time to showcase his talent. So with the winter transfer open, Arsenal came knocking to secure a loan deal, a good opportunity to get his career back on track as more game time is guaranteed provided he is injury free and consistence.
CAN ODEGAARD IMPRESS FOR ARSENAL ?
Having tried and failed with the acquisition of Denis Suarez from Barcelona few seasons ago, this might cause some Arsenal faithful to worry. But by looking at the current Arsenal side, it looks so promising avenue for Ødegaard’s creativity to thrive.
Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka have been the best of the many positive things at Arsenal recently. Photo Credit: Twitter/ Arsenal
Moreover, Ødegaard is also a high presser, hardworking and diligence which makes him a superb player, he is class above Denis Suarez.
EMILE SMITH-ROWE, BUKAYO SAKA AND MARTIN ØDEGAARD?
It is understandable that many players were never able to reach their potential due to different reasons but early signs are promising for Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.
Arsenal is too big a club to rely on inconsistent players and Martin Ødegaard provides needed competition while also complementing the duo depending on how Mikel Arteta plans to set-up his team.
Giving the terms of the agreement that brought Ødegaard to Arsenal, it will be win for all (Arsenal, Real Madrid and Martin Ødegaard) if the player can find his feet at the Emirates.
And for Arsenal, it will be another good business and the concentration on young players is apparent, which in few seasons could see them become a handful for any team in Europe.
Al Fuad Sobayo
