MARTIN ODEGAARD has been slammed by Real Madrid legend Jorge Valdano for leaving the Bernabeu to join Arsenal.
Odegaard, 22, has passed a medical ahead of a loan move to the Gunners for the rest of the season.
Martin Odegaard has been slammed for leaving Real Madrid for ArsenalCredit: Reuters
Real legend Jorge Valdano reckons Odegaard’s exit shows his bad mentalityCredit: Getty – Contributor
The Norway international had been upset over a lack of minutes this term.
And Odegaard made it clear to boss Zinedine Zidane that he wanted to go elsewhere for first-team action.
The ex-Real Sociedad loanee is now set to link up with Mikel Arteta and give Arsenal more options in the final third.
The north Londoners lack a classic No10 following Mesut Ozil’s free transfer to Fenerbahce, and Odegaard can also play on the right wing.
But one man who is not impressed with Odegaard’s behaviour is Valdano.
The former Argentina striker, 65, scored 56 times in just three years for Los Blancos between 1984 and 1987.
And rather than look for a loan move, Valdano believes Odegaard should instead work on his mentality to succeed in the Spanish capital.
Valdano told El Transistor: “The quality that Odegaarded possesses is necessary for this Real Madrid team.
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“I don’t think Odegaard has played badly. Perhaps he was a bit conservative when it came to him, maybe he lacked some more daring actions.
“But he also lacked patience to continue at Real. In the end he competes with two stars like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
“I am more concerned about his mentality. It is not worth of a Real player to leave your place, not have that patience.
“It’s not just any player ahead of him. I am surprised he would leave the club and leave his spot open for others.”
Odegaard may not be the only attacking reinforcement at the Emirates this month, with Arsenal reported to be interested in Paris Saint-Germain’s Julian Draxler too.
Arsenal boss Arteta says Aubameyang is ruled out of Premier League clash against Southampton
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
