Former Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha has spoken of his surprise at how well Arsenal loanee Martin Odegaard has settled into life in the Premier League.
The Norwegian, on loan from Real Madrid and valued at £36m on Transfermarkt, put on a great creative display in the number ten role for the Gunners on Sunday during their game with West Ham United, completing 93% of his passes and making four key passes as they fought back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 – all coming off the back of him grabbing his first Premier League goal last weekend during the win over Tottenham Hotspur.
And speaking on the latest edition of ESPN FC, Onuoha spoke about his performance against the Hammers as well as his other displays, and thinks that he may finally have found a team that is suited to him and his abilities.
He said: “He was somebody who wasn’t sure how he’d be able to adapt to the English league but he’s I think he’s found the right club in Arsenal to be playing. And he’s moving well, he’s linking up well with the front line. He’s got a sense of freedom, obviously still has to work hard as well, but yeah, he’s looking like he’s the real deal in that space for now, you know, long may that continue for him.”
Do you want the club to sign Odegaard?
Yes, that would be brilliant
No, he isn't good enough
TIF Thoughts on Nedum Onuoha’s comments about Martin Odegaard at Arsenal…
Given his struggles in trying to find his way at Real Madrid, it seems the step down to Arsenal has done him the world of good, so Onuoha is right to classify this as ‘the right club’ given how well he has performed under Mikel Arteta so far. The big question now is whether or not they’ll be able to make the deal permanent, or at the very least extend it for another season.
It’s the perfect marriage between player and club and it would be such a shame to see all this good form go down the drain if Arsenal needed to find another number ten in the summer, and who’s to say whether or not Odegaard will be able to find his form again at the next club he goes to.