There were few chances to score goals on Saturday, with the hope that Norway can send a spark from behind the strikers
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is set to hear more about following the club on Real Madrid’s Martin Odegaard on Saturday, with the Gunners seemingly in desperate need of a creative force in midfield after they pulled a blank. against Southampton in the FA Cup.
The Saints recorded their first win over Arsenal in the tournament on Saturday afternoon, with an own early goal from Gabriel Magalhaes, following a Kyle Walker-Peters shot, confirming the difference between the two sides.
Attractive performances from celebrity duo Willian and Nicolas Pepe were among the topics discussed after leaving the cup, but Odegaard’s income could be something that would give fans something to look forward to. looking forward to another poor show.
“I don’t know, we actually played today and since last night I have no news,” Arteta said of talks to join Norway. “I may get some phone calls today and see where we are with all the contracts.”
The emergence of Emile Smith Rowe as an Arsenal planner has raised questions about whether the 22-year-old Odegaard would impede the former’s progress, but Arteta insists there is always a clear plan there for the development of individuals.
“I can’t talk about any player who isn’t with us,” he said. “We have a very clear idea of how we want to develop our players and what they need to do that. Every decision we make is to consolidate that development and try to give it the best possible chance. ”
Fans might wonder if things would have gone differently if captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had appeared against the Saints, with the captain released from the squad shortly before the kick-off. -start.
Arteta said at the time: “He had a personal affair in the last few hours and we had to put him back.”
No further explanation for Aubameyang’s absence has been offered so far, as long as Arteta was unable to determine whether he would be able to rely on one of his star actors for the forthcoming class. come Tuesday – another head-to-head with Southampton in the Premier League.
“I don’t know,” said the manager. “He needs to address that issue to see how it grows. We are here, we need to support it. It has to take the required amount of time because that is a priority right now. ”