Paul Scholes says Arsenal should have signed £71m star to help Martin Odegaard | Football

Paul Scholes has urged Arsenal ought to have made a serious signing in January to take Martin Odegaard to a different degree.

Odegaard has been considered one of Arsenal’s greatest and most constant gamers over the previous 4 years however the 2024-25 marketing campaign has confirmed to be a irritating one for the Norwegian midfielder.

An harm sustained whereas on worldwide responsibility dominated Odegaard out for over two months and he has struggled to constantly present his greatest type since that setback, scoring only one objective throughout 21 video games.

The 26-year-old has, nevertheless, seemed sharp in latest weeks, scoring in Arsenal’s Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb and in Sunday’s gorgeous 5-1 victory over Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League.

Manchester United legend Scholes, thought of probably the greatest midfielders England has ever produced, believes Odegaard is ‘sensible’ however says he would profit from taking part in with a ‘a correct centre ahead’.

Kai Havertz continues to blow cold and warm for the Gunners and Arsenal thought of signing a brand new striker throughout the January switch window, even failing with a transfer for Aston Villa and England star Ollie Watkins.

Arteta additionally expressed curiosity in signing Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Dusan Vlahovic, although Arsenal finally stored their powder dry till the summer time.

However Scholes says Arsenal would profit from the addition of a confirmed goalscorer and says Gunners captain Odegaard particularly would have loved taking part in with somebody like Jhon Duran.

Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham have been all linked with January strikes for Duran earlier than Al-Nassr got here in with an enormous £71m deal for the 21-year-old.

Scholes says long-term Arsenal goal Isak is one other participant that may get extra out of Odegaard, who solely has two assists to date this season, having recorded ten within the league final 12 months.

‘Think about him with a centre ahead, although. With a correct centre ahead,’ Scholes stated on The Overlap when discussing Odegaard’s type at Arsenal.

‘Martin Odegaard is a superb participant, he can put a ball wherever he needs. He hasn’t received that in entrance of him, a No. 10 wants that in entrance of him. 

‘I don’t assume Kai Havertz is that sort of participant, though he may make the odd run right here and there. 

‘You’re pondering Isak or Duran, the lad from Villa, if he had that in entrance of him, it makes him grow to be a greater participant as nicely as a result of he’s transfer concerned with objectives.’ 

Havertz scored a much-needed objective within the victory over Man Metropolis but in addition missed a giant likelihood to probably remind Arsenal why they want a brand new striker this summer time.

In fact the membership may argue they nonetheless have second-best assault within the Premier League when it comes to objectives scored and have constructed an Arsenal crew concerned in its third successive title problem.

Whether or not Arsenal are in a position to lastly get their arms on the Premier League trophy stays to be seen, nevertheless, and Theo Walcott can not see leaders Liverpool dropping off.

‘Arsenal needed to win [against Manchester City on Sunday] and put in a press release efficiency,’ the previous Gunners winger stated on BBC’s Match of the Day 2.

‘Liverpool are, at this second, taking part in at some degree. It’s going to be nearer than you assume however Liverpool, at this second, I simply don’t see them slipping up.’

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