'He's a team player': Ex-Old Trafford boss says he'd love Arsenal 22-year-old in his side
Louis van Gaal has revealed that he’d love Arsenal and Norway star Martin Odegaard in his Netherlands side.
The 22-year-old is a spectacular footballer. He rose to fame when he was just 16 and although he hasn’t quite hit the heights that many people thought he will, he is a fine player for any side to have.
Arsenal initially signed him on loan at the start of this year and Mikel Arteta fell in love with him. The Gunners boss made him his number one summer target, and Edu managed to sign him permanently from Real Madrid.
The Netherlands faced Norway yesterday and van Gaal, before the game, was asked a few questions about his side’s opponents. He was asked to pick one Norwegian he would love in his Holland side and he picked Arsenal star Odegaard.
Van Gaal: I would love Odegaard in my Netherlands side
Asked to name the one Norwegian he would like in his side, the ex-Old Trafford boss told TV2 this week, as quoted by The Metro: “I shall choose between Odegaard and [Kristian] Thorstvedt.
“Odegaard is very creative and has very good passing. He can play the ball where he wants. When the player demands the ball in a good position he can give the ball. And he’s a team player.
“He stays a team player, that is very good.”
TBR View:
Odegaard is definitely a team player. The Norwegian, who almost always plays in his favourite number 10 role, is a fantastic creator. He loves assisting his forwards and he’s never afraid to receive possession.
The Norwegian, still only 22, can develop into one of the best in the world, but things have been really tough for him. Emile Smith Rowe’s brilliance and Alexandre Lacazette’s form in his new position have pushed Odegaard out of the side.
It will not be easy for the ex-Real Madrid man to get back into the side, but Arteta knows he has a quality player if he needs him.
He will most likely start the game against Liverpool this weekend on the bench, but it will be interesting to see how he fares against one of the best sides in the country if he comes on.
