Arsenal are closing in on their fourth signing of the summer. According to The Athletic, the Gunners are set to complete a €35 million move for Real Madrid playmaker Martin Odegaard.
The Norway international impressed during his six-month loan spell in north London last season, and his arrival will add creativity and flair to the Arsenal midfield.
Odegaard made 20 appearances for Arsenal in the 2020-21 campaign, scoring two goals. He returned to Madrid this summer and was expected to be a part of Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for the future.
However, that’s not the case and he is set to arrive in London this week. According to The Athletic, he could be available for Arsenal’s game against Chelsea on Sunday.
If all goes to plan Martin Odegaard’s proposed transfer from Real Madrid to Arsenal will be for around €35m & he may be in contention to feature vs Chelsea on Sun – but still a fair amount of work to be done before completed @TheAthleticUK #RMFC #AFC #CFC https://t.co/eoSXmLY5ts
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 17, 2021
Odegaard will undoubtedly slot straight into the Arsenal lineup. Here, we take a look at how they could line up with the 22-year-old midfielder this season.
Strongest possible Arsenal lineup with Martin Odegaard
Goalkeeper
Arsenal are close to agreeing a deal with Bournemouth for Aaron Ramsdale, who is expected to push Bernd Leno for a place in the first team. But for now, the German remains their first-choice keeper.
Leno had a dreadful start to the Premier League season against Brentford, and Arsenal will hope he can improve over the next few games.
🚨 Arsenal on verge of agreement with Sheff Utd to sign Aaron Ramsdale. £24m + £6m in add-ons (only likely to apply if/when 23yo is established 1st choice). #SHU initially wanted £40m. Proposed deal 4yrs + 1 option. Not in squad vs #WBA @TheAthleticUK #AFC https://t.co/aN8kJ70EBy
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 18, 2021
Defence
Kieran Tierney is one of the first names on the team sheet for Arsenal. The Scotland international has been sensational for the Gunners ever since his arrival from Celtic in 2019 and will play an important role for the Gunners offensively and defensively this season.
Arsenal’s most problematic position is right-back. None of Calum Chambers, Hector Bellerin and Cedric Soares have impressed when given the chance. New signing Nuno Tavares is capable of slotting in at right-back if needed, but he lacks Premier League experience. Thus, Chambers is likely to be given the nod in the first few games of the season.
New signing Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes will likely start at the centre of the defence for Arsenal. Although Pablo Mari started against Brentford, he will be replaced by Gabriel once the Brazilian regains his fitness.
White looked extremely shaky on his Premier League debut, but he is expected to improve as the season progresses.
Midfield
Albert Sambi Lokonga impressed on his league debut and he should feature heavily for Arsenal at the centre of the park this season.
With Thomas Partey out until the international break at least, Granit Xhaka will partner Lokonga in midfield in the first few games. Partey should replace the Swiss international in the Arsenal lineup once he shakes off his ankle problem.
Martin Odegaard will be entrusted with the No. 10 role, displacing the talented Emile Smith Rowe from the Arsenal lineup. The Norwegian will have to shoulder most of the creative burden this season.
Attack
Arsenal have a number of attackers fighting for three positions. With Odegaard occupying the No. 10 slot, Smith Rowe, who had a breakout campaign in 2020-21, could be moved to the left flank. The English midfielder did play in that position during the end of last season and should have no trouble adapting to his new role.
Bukayo Saka, who was Arsenal’s standout player last season, will feature from the right. That means Nicolas Pepe, who has failed to justify his lofty price tag since his arrival from Lille in 2019, will have to be content with appearances from the bench.
Strongest Possible Arsenal Lineup
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will lead the line for the Gunners. The Gabon international, who netted just 10 goals in the Premier League last season, missed Arsenal’s opening fixture due to illness. He has been linked with a move to Barcelona, but that’s unlikely to come to fruition and he is expected to return to the Arsenal lineup later this month.
The 32-year-old was mainly deployed on the flanks last season and a return to the middle could help him rekindle his best form. Alternatively, with Smith Rowe and Saka on the flanks, Pepe could be deployed upfront in the Arsenal lineup. Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun will serve as the back-up strikers.
