Martin Odegaard will hate what Ian Wright just said about ‘smart’ player he wishes Arsenal had instead

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Ian Wright admitted that he wishes Arsenal had one player from a direct Premier League rival.

The Arsenal legend is eager to see what the summer transfer window holds for the Gunners, who have endured another trophyless season.

Paris Saint-Germain knocked Arsenal out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage, dominating Mikel Arteta’s side over two legs.

Arteta thought Arsenal were better than PSG, but many will disagree, as the gaps between his squad and those in the Champions League final are clear for all to see.

• READ MORE: Mikel Arteta should call Stan Kroenke and make one thing clear after Arsenal’s defeat to PSG, it’s time

Ian Wright wishes Arsenal had Bruno Fernandes

Arsenal dominated in the early stages of the second leg, but PSG’s individual quality shone through, as the hosts took the tie away from the North Londoners. 

For all the possession and chances Arsenal created early on, there was nothing to show for it, as the lack of conviction in Arteta’s attack became a talking point once again.

Sporting director Andrea Berta knows he must deliver a striker to Arsenal in the summer, but that’s not the only position on his shopping list, as the defeat to PSG showed. 

Speaking with regard to the Champions League tie and Arsenal’s season as a whole, Wright admitted that there’s one player he wishes his former club had in their ranks. 

“I wish we had Bruno [Fernandes],” Wright said on the Stick To Football podcast, presenting a feeling of envy about how instrumental the Manchester United playmaker has been over the 2024/25 campaign.

The Arsenal icon’s admission may come as a sucker punch to the Gunners’ positional rival, Martin Odegaard, whose season has been far from as glamorous as Fernandes’ at Old Trafford. 

Fernandes has exposed Martin Odegaard this season

Odegaard has been criticised for his form throughout the 2024/25 calendar, with questions continually being asked about the Norwegian. 

Though the skipper’s low performance level was discussed after the defeat to PSG, it’s understood that Arsenal have no concern about Odegaard or his future at the club. 

Some will feel the opposite of the Gunners, as when looking at the level Fernandes has been performing at, it’s clear to see what Odegaard is lacking. 

Wright wishes Arsenal had Fernandes, a maestro in the number ten role who has 21 more contributions than Arteta’s captain this campaign. 

It was only earlier in the season that Arteta himself praised Fernandes, calling the Man United ace ‘smart’ for exposing the Gunners from a free-kick, via Sky Sports.

Given that Arsenal don’t have a recognisable number nine, others are expected to step up in front of goal to help out, something Odegaard has failed to do this term, making Wright’s admission all the more understandable.