Arsenal have suffered in recent weeks due to the absence of club captain Martin Odegaard.
The impact of Martin Odegaard’s injury was felt particularly keenly on Saturday, as Arsenal slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Bournemouth in a Premier League showdown.
Arsenal lacked creativity against Bournemouth, as Mikel Arteta named a midfield trio comprised of Mikel Merino, Declan Rice, and Thomas Partey. This selection boasted plenty of experience and physicality, but lacked the craft and guile to carve the Cherries open.
Arteta was criticised for using Ethan Nwaneri so late in this game, when there is a strong argument that the 17-year-old attacking midfielder ought to have started the match.
Meanwhile, with Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira both having left the Emirates Stadium in the recent summer transfer window, there is now dearth of playmakers in North London who can cover for Odegaard.
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Arsenal targeting Oscar Gloukh after Martin Odegaard injury
This is an issue that Arteta appears keen to address in the upcoming January transfer window.
Whilst the Gunners would benefit from another creative midfield operator being added to the Spanish coach’s ranks, there should also be a wariness about how such an addition might impact the harmony of the squad.
When Odegaard returns to full fitness, he will immediately go back to be being a nailed-on starter. Therefore, any player bought in to feature in the same part of the pitch as the skipper has to be comfortable with playing second fiddle to the Norwegian for now.
According to Caught Offside, the Gunners are “keen” on signing Oscar Gloukh. The RB Salzburg star has impressed in recent seasons, and has huge potential for the future, but would likely still be comfortable serving as Odegaard’s understudy at this stage in his career.
The Israeli ace is available for around £29 million this January, and is eager to test himself in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Arsenal know that Gloukh is “extraordinary,” having been keeping tabs on him for some time.
Mikel Arteta must prioritise Ethan Nwaneri
One concern that may arise with the signing of Gloukh could be that he would impede Nwaneri’s progress.
The Hale End academy wonderkid is an enormous talent, and very highly thought of within the club. Arsenal fans want to see more of Nwaneri, and won’t want his future at the Emirates being jeopardised by a new signing.
Whilst the appeal of Gloukh is obvious, Arteta must prioritise the development of Nwaneri and avoid any transfer decisions that could jeopardise the youngster’s future at the club.
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