Arsenal will rely on heavily on playmaker Martin Odegaard against Liverpool tonight, but he could have been lining up on the other side at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners are in superb form right now having claimed five straight Premier League wins.
Champions League qualification is in sight for Mikel Arteta’s men, who must now try to see off Jurgen Klopp’s Reds in a huge game.
Liverpool are gunning for the title but will know they face a tough ask against an Arsenal side who are moving to beat of Martin Odegaard’s drum right now.
Odegaard has been simply sensational of late, turning in another outstanding, almost metronomic performance against Leicester City on Sunday.
The 23-year-old has to be one of the first names on the Arsenal teamsheet right now and Liverpool will know all about his threat.
That’s because Liverpool were allegedly keen on signing Odegaard themselves last summer.
Odegaard had been on loan at Arsenal from Real Madrid and was even spoken to by Jurgen Klopp on the Emirates Stadium pitch last year.
The Daily Star then reported that Liverpool were interested in swooping in and signing Odegaard permanently, with Klopp thought to be a big fan.
In the end, Liverpool chose not to sign a new midfielder to replace Georginio Wijnaldum and Odegaard was able to rejoin Arsenal permanently.
Now being branded ‘unbelievable’ by Tim Sherwood, Odegaard may just leave Liverpool a little gutted that they didn’t make their move.
Liverpool haven’t really signed a pure playmaker in midfield since Philippe Coutinho’s exit, but have gone down the technician route with Thiago Alcantara.
Odegaard puts in so much work off the ball and is such a great leader that he could have certainly slotted into Liverpool’s three-man midfield; he isn’t restricted to just being a number 10.
Odegaard’s patience and technical ability around the box could have given Liverpool another threat from midfield – even if Jurgen Klopp likes his workhorse types in the middle.
The Norwegian looks to be on the path to becoming a true Premier League star, and if Liverpool were to make their move in the future, any fee would be astronomical.
Liverpool’s chance may have gone, and they will have to be on red alert to try and stop Arsenal’s midfield master from pulling the strings tonight.
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