Many Arsenal and Football fans are excited to see Odegaard on loan at Arsenal. A recent poll completed by Jim James found that 60% of soccer fans around the world think that Odegaard is a good piece of business for the Gunners and that he will flourish in the Premier League. And why not?
During a stellar breakthrough campaign with Real Sociedad in the 19/20 season, Odegaard had 16 goal contributions, with 1.7 shots per 90 and having created 12 big chances. Primarily an attacking midfielder, Odegaard is also very versatile and is able to play on the wings. All of this considered, Odegaard seems like a very good player for Arsenal. But is that really the case?
Despite making a stellar signing, Arsenal continue to follow their same transfer policy. They have signed another big name reject from Spain, this time on loan. The problem is, Odegaard has been spoiled at one of the biggest clubs in the world (Real Madrid), earning a ludicrous 80,000 per week while just aged 16. At Arsenal, a team who currently find themselves in the mid-table territory, staring down the barrel of their first season out of Europe since 1995/96, Odegaard will likely come to Arsenal with a mentality of superiority compared to the other players, and after being dropped for games against United and Wolves, unrest may soon surface for The Gunners.
Not only that, Arsenal have a bad history with signing La Liga attacking/box to box midfielders. Recent examples include Ozil and Ceballos. However, with 2 players in similar conditions suffering a similar fate perhaps it’s time to wonder if it really is the player’s fault. The main problem is that Arsenal’s influential fanbase (AFTV) are sensationalists. They focus on goals and assists rather than player performance and ‘doing the simple things right’. Particularly with Mesut Ozil, Arsenal fans ignored his unique passes, 360-degree vision, and incredible visionary play. With Odegaard, patience will be required as he adapts to the Premier League, and if this patience isn’t provided by the greedy Arsenal fanbase Odegaard will be crushed by the pressure.
To conclude, there is no denying that Odegaard has the talent and potential spilling out of his ears but an egotistical personality and toxic fanbase could cause Odegaard to flop.