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Paul Scholes believes Arsenal should have made a high-profile signing in January to improve Martin Odegaard’s performance.
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes recently shares his thoughts on Arsenal’s performance this season, with a particular emphasis on Martin Odegaard’s influence, in an interview with The Overlap. Scholes believes that Arsenal missed a crucial opportunity to bolster their squad in the January transfer window, which could have significantly improved Odegaard’s performance.
Odegaard, who has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent players over the past few years, has faced some challenges this season. An injury sustained while on international duty kept him out for over two months, and since his return, he has struggled to find his best form. Scholes attributes this dip in performance to the lack of a proper center-forward ahead of Odegaard.
According to Scholes, Odegaard thrives when he has a traditional striker playing in front of him. He mentioned that players like Alexander Isak or Jhon Duran could make a significant difference. Scholes pointed out that Odegaard’s record alongside Isak during their time at Real Sociedad was impressive, with more goals and assists compared to this season.
Despite the links to several strikers, including Isak, Benjamin Sesko, and Dusan Vlahovic, Arsenal decided to keep their powder dry until the summer transfer window. Scholes believes this was a missed opportunity, as signing a proven goalscorer could have provided Odegaard with the support he needs to excel.
While Scholes’ theory on Odegaard’s struggles is compelling, it’s important to note that football is a team sport, and many factors contribute to a player’s performance. Nonetheless, his insights highlight the importance of having a well-rounded squad and the impact that key signings can have on individual players.
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