ARSENAL completed the loan signing of Martin Odegaard over the weekend – leaving Mikel Arteta with a dilemma.
The Norwegian wonderkid, 22, is enjoying a resurgence following a loan stint at Real Sociedad last season having faded following his much-hyped move to Los Blancos in 2015.
Martin Odegaard has joined Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid – but how will Arteta squeeze him in the team?Credit: Getty Images – Getty
And the Gunners, absolutely starved of creativity this season, have taken a chance on him in a bid to make a late run at the European places.
However, Arteta will now have to work out where best to squeeze Odegaard into his XI.
We take a look at three potential options…
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4-2-3-1
How Arsenal are most-likely to line-up with Odegaard in the team
ARTETA has recently been sending out his troops in a 4-2-3-1, while seeing his side enjoy a massive uptick in form.
That’s no coincidence.
So the Gunners chief could opt to run the same XI with Odegaard joining up.
The Norwegian could slot into his favoured No10 role, playing just off captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in his favoured central role when everyone is fit.
A front four of Aubameyang, Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli certainly has the potential to be lethal.
4-3-3
Arsenal could line-up in a 4-3-3 with Odegaard wide on the right
ANOTHER of Arteta’s preferred formations, Arsenal could line-up in a 4-3-3 with Odegaard in the team.
The left-footed Norwegian has spent plenty of time playing on the right flank, cutting inside to lethal effect.
With a packed central midfield trio behind himself, Aubameyang and Saka, the Gunners could do real damage going forward, while keeping it more tight at the back.
In this scenario, Odegaard would simply be hoovering up the minutes previously taken up by flops Nicolas Pepe and Willian.
5-3-2 / 3-5-2
Arsenal could opt for an experimental 5-3-2 / 3-5-2 formation
SLIGHTLY more experimental, the 5-3-2 could work to Arsenal’s favour.
In defence, the Gunners would have five at the back, with Hector Bellerin and Saka in the wing-back roles, with Kieran Tierney still in the side, tucking in a little more centrally.
A two-man deep midfield pivot would protect the defenders and kickstart attacks.
This line-up could include any combination of Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny, Joe Willock and Dani Ceballos, depending on the opponent.
But in attack, those wing-backs suddenly become part of a five-man midfield, playing off a front two.
This formation arguably allows Arsenal to start their best players, with Aubameyang AND Alexandre Lacazette up front.
With plenty of width from the wing-backs and Odegaard floating in the space between midfield and attack, Arsenal could arguably be at their most dangerous in a 5-3-2 / 3-5-2 formation.
Martin Odegaard shows off his skills at Real Madrid training
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
