Report: Midfielder missed training on Tuesday ahead of imminent Arsenal move

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The Athletic claim Martin Odegaard was absent from Real Madrid training on Tuesday ahead of a supposedly imminent move to Arsenal this week. The Norwegian is expected to sign a five-year deal at The Emirates, after 20 games on loan last term. A fee is expected to be in the region of £30million.

Odegaard, 22, joined Arsenal in January on loan after struggling for game time at Real Madrid during the first half of the 2020-21 campaign. He clocked up four goal involvements in 20 games, often producing the difference in attack. But it was a dry loan, and it saw him return to Real.

However, Arsenal seem to have struck a deal for Odegaard. The report states that the two parties have agreed a £30million fee – and Fabrizio Romano has followed that up by saying a deal will be until 2026. The Athletic say he missed Madrid training on Tuesday ahead of the deal.

Odegaard breathes optimism into beleaguered Arsenal

The 2-0 defeat to Brentford had Arsenal fans immediately pessimistic about this season’s chances. The performance was a catalogue of misery – Ben White struggling in defence, the midfield overran and the attackers lacking punch without Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

While another number 10 is not directly what Arsenal need, it is a signing that will inject some optimism at Arsenal – something which is crucial. It gives Mikel Arteta another option in the middle of the park or out wide. Perhaps the ability to change formation, too. A very good signing.