With Martin Ødegaard set to sign for Arsenal on an end of season loan deal, I asked Norweigian Arsenal fan Truls Dyrkorn for his insight on the player and he did not disappoint – Here we go!
1. What will Odegaard bring to Arsenal?
Truls: I would say there are many qualities Martin Ødegaard would bring to Arsenal, such as set-piece delivery, ball retention, work rate, and his ability to link up and combine with players around him.
However, the biggest quality Ødegaard possesses is finding those little pockets in between the lines, having the ability to carry the ball forward, and finding the right passes in order to get his teammates into dangerous goalscoring positions. His skill set allows him to attack from both central and wide channels, in addition to dropping deep to collect the ball and helping out with the build-up. This is something that I believe suits the way Arteta wants his team to play.
2. Do you think he will be able to play with Emile Smith Rowe?
Truls: I think it very much depends on what system Mikel decides to use. If we continue with this 4-2-3-1 system, I’m personally struggling to find a place for both of them in the same team considering how well Saka is playing on the right-hand side, and how important Martinelli and Auba is to us on the left.
Emile Smith Rowe thrived in a slightly deeper role for Huddersfield last season, but I can’t imagine him alongside Partey in a pivot in that exact system, neither would the case be with Ødegaard, who has spent his time playing in the #10 position behind the striker or on the right-wing.
What could prove to be an interesting tactical tweak would be a midfield three of Smith Rowe – Partey – Ødegaard, with the Ghanaian playing as the deep-lying midfielder, giving ESR & Ødegaard license to move further up the pitch. It would certainly be a midfield full of enthusiasm, tenacity, work rate, technical ability, and offensive creativity.
This would obviously take away the leadership and quality Xhaka possesses in the build-up play, however it is certainly an interesting option I’m sure Mikel will explore, mainly against the lesser sides.
3. If you had a choice, would you sign Odegaard at the end of the season?
Truls: That’s a very tough one. If I had to answer the question now, I would probably lean more towards a ‘Yes’ than a ‘No’, based on all the boxes he ticks. I guess it all very much comes down to how he adapts and settles in, how willing the player would be on a permanent move, and how much money Real Madrid would demand. I have no concerns over his talent or ability whatsoever. I’m sure he will become a top, top player, but he is yet to prove himself at a top club, like Arsenal.
If he stays consistent as he did at Real Sociedad I’m sure we’re in for a treat – and if that’s the case it’s definitely something we should be looking into. It’s worth noticing that he will only have two years left on his contract in the summer. A deal is there to be done, especially if Zidane – who doesn’t seem to rate him – stays in the job.
4. What is one quality about Odegaard that people don’t know about?
Truls: I would say a very underrated and not much talked about aspect of his game is his defensive contribution. He’s a very conscientious player that takes responsibility not only offensively, but also defensively. Constantly pressing, sprinting, running for the team – perhaps a bit like what Emile Smith Rowe has been doing the last few weeks.
Last season for Real Sociedad, Martin Ødegaard benefited a lot from the counter-pressing tactic employed by manager Imanol Alguacil. He managed 8.22 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, which to put it into perspective, is more recoveries per 90 than Partey made in the 2019/20 season with Atletico [7.9 recoveries].
5. What is the feeling like in Norway – about Odegaard and his potential move to Arsenal?
Truls: It’s massive news, everyone is excited by it. We obviously have Sander Berge & Ole Gunnar Solskjær in the league already with both of them doing quite well, and to add Martin Ødegaard is just as exciting, if not more so considering the status he has here in Norway. I have even had friends who support Chelsea & Man Utd messaging me saying they’re excited to see him play, hoping he would do well.
There has also been several live broadcasts over the last two days dedicated to Martin Ødegaard only. This gives you an indication of just how big this news is. Not just for the Arsenal fans and football fans in general, but also for the rest of the population here in Norway, regardless of whether you are a football fan or not. We’re all looking forward to the impact he will make in the Premier League because us Norwegians know he has a very high ceiling.
6. What would you say is Odegaard’s best position?
Truls: He’s a very versatile player. In his career, he has previously played on the right-wing for Heerenveen and Vitesse in 4-3-3 systems, where he was allowed to be expressive on the ball and roam more freely when the team had possession. For Norway, he’s had a slightly different and more disciplined role. Having made 25 appearances for Norway, Ødegaard has spent the majority of his time playing on the right-hand side in a 4-4-2 system under a very organized side formerly led by Lars Lagerbäck, who left the position as the Norwegian Head Coach over a month ago.
Ødegaard’s preferred position, however, is the #10 position, a role he excelled in at Real Sociedad in the 2019/20 season, before returning to Real Madrid last summer. Playing in the #10 role allowed him to drift more freely, so he can pick the ball up in between the lines and link up with other teammates.
He could also operate as an #8, perhaps not in a pivot, but on either side of the deep-lying midfielder, preferably on the right-hand side. This gives him a chance to cut onto his stronger left foot by either link up with his teammates, crossing the ball into a dangerous area or finishing an action by releasing a shot from distance.
7. Would you say he’s better than the other alternatives out there?
Truls: If we would have had available cash to spend, I would have said “Yes” there are better and more proven options, but considering the circumstances with Covid-19 and the financial impact it had on all football clubs, I’d say this is a very smart move by Arsenal. For me, it’s definitely a better option compared to Isco & Eriksen in specific, two players we have been linked to. That is based on age, consistency, willingness to improve, but also from a financial point of view. I honestly believe this deal is one of the best options Arsenal could have gone for given the circumstances.
8. Other interesting points about Ødegaard:
Truls:
Stats (19/20) with Sociedad:
-Dribbles p90: 2.24 (Top 10 in Spain)
-Chances created p90: 2 (Top 5)
-Progressive passes p90: 8.86 (1st for U24 midfielders).
Cristiano Ronaldo, in November 2015, named Martin Ødegaard (16yo at the time) in his top 5 list of biggest talents in the world, alongside Paul Pogba (22), Neymar (22), Eden Hazard (24) and Memphis Depay (21) (no order).
He was then asked about Ødegaard, CR7 responded: “It’s valuable to him that he came here (Real Madrid) at such a young age. One day he may be my successor. He has huge potential.”
A big thanks to Truls for his fantastic insight – you can find him on Twitter @ELNENNYYY
COYG!