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“When everyone was a little shaky, he gave us that stability and composure with the ball and created one opportunity after another.”
“Tremble” is probably not exactly what Arteta meant, given he praised his team’s impressive character in coming back from 3-0 at West Ham United, but there was a period in the game when Arsenal were mostly frenzied energy. . They needed a bit of precision to adapt to the pressure.
Odegaard provided it. It was his two angled balls that put West Ham United in the rear, and ultimately changed the game. For the first time, in the 61st minute, Aaron Cresswell didn’t know which way to go when Odegaard played Callum Chambers to force an own goal. The second was almost identical in execution and spin, except with more pressure given that it was the 82nd minute, and with Nicolás Pepe elegantly lifting the ball instead of driving it.
Alexandre Lacazette rose higher to lead it, but there was no question who was above everyone else on the field in terms of performance. Odegaard’s two angled balls weren’t just individual moments of inspiration. They were indicative of how he handled the game.
That is totally in line with the influence he has on the team as a whole. Later, Arteta especially praised what a “leader” Odegaard has been. “Well, he’s showing that I believe from the first week. The way he steps on the field, he always wants the ball, the way he dominates the pressure. It has been very influential. I think he has surprised all of us a bit because he looks very shy and humble, but when he steps on that field he is a real character and he loves to play football.
Arsenal, now, would love to sign him. That’s how central it has become, literally. Odegaard is precisely the type of player who makes Arteta’s plan of attack work as it should, for the precision and imagination he can offer between the lines. However, the question of whether they can buy it comes down to more than what Arsenal can offer.
Finances are limited at the club, yes, but it is the same at their parent club. Real Madrid is being squeezed from all sides. They also need an update, but any transfer budget will likely have to be extremely calculated in their use. Sources say that Florentino Pérez will allocate all the money to the persecution of Erling Braut Haaland, who does favor Madrid. Considering that, and the need for a bit more around any new star, you’d think a 22-year-old playmaker offering a real spark, as well as something so polished and exciting, would be perfect. It almost seems like the right time for Odegaard to return.
The problem, and one of the reasons he is at Arsenal, is that his individual situation at the Bernabéu is anything but perfect. He has had difficulties with Zinedine Zidane, who has not liked him so much. The future of Odegaard and Arsenal could well be linked to the fate of Madrid. If the regression of the Spanish champions continues, and they win nothing while finishing third in the league, Zidane could leave and Odegaard would almost certainly want to come back. If they bounce back, and maybe even win a Champions League again, as unlikely as it may seem right now, Odegaard is much more likely to leave.
However, there is almost a catch-22 for Arsenal, as there is no call option in their loan agreement. The better Odegaard performs for Arsenal, the better his potential options. It will increase the price and the level of interest.
By making Arsenal more competitive, he could ensure that he has more competitors for his signature. However, that is a concern for later. Right now, it seems like their performances should only be enjoyed.
