Martin Keown has said on talkSPORT (11:54am, October 8, 2021) that Arsenal attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard needs to be more aggressive.
The Arsenal legend believes that Odegaard, who joined Arsenal from Real Madrid on a permanent contract in the summer of 2021, is improving and getting better.
However, Keown wants the 22-year-old Norway international player – who cost £30 million in transfer fees this past summer, as reported by Sky Sports – to add steel to his game and be more aggressive.
The talkSPORT pundit made the comments about Odegaard in the wake of the former Madrid player saying that the Arsenal group is very nice.
Keown said: “You have to say about Odegaard, since he has been in there, you can see improvement in his play, he is getting games, he came off against Brighton, he played wonderfully well against Spurs.
“He is still learning the ropes, he is still trying to find a way where to be out of possession and not lose the ball because he is obviously one of Arsenal’s most creative players when they get it back.
“It is the right environment for him now, but you need to equip yourself with that layer of steel that you need, you have to be steely, you have to be aggressive.”
Getting better
Odegaard did well during his loan spell at Arsenal from Madrid during the second half of last season.
And there was no surprise to see Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta make the loan deal permanent in the summer of 2021.
The Norwegian scored one goal and gave two assists in nine Premier League starts last season.
Odegaard has provided one assist in one Carabao Cup tie, and has scored one goal in five Premier League matches for Arsenal so far this season.
The Arsenal no. 8 is a very good and creative player, and we should not forget that he is only 22.
We think that Odegaard will get better and will eventually become world class.
He certainly has the potential.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
