Arsenal have been linked with a shock move for Real Madrid sensation Arda Guler, and they may have an ace up their sleeve when it comes to a potential transfer.
Guler joined Real Madrid last year from Fenerbahce, and was instantly billed as one of the stars of the future.
However, the teenager was blighted with injury issues in his first year, before impressing with Turkey at Euro 2024, but has started just three La Liga games this season.
The 19-year-old’s lack of game time since has meant that transfer links have now emerged, with Arsenal reportedly considering a move for Guler, and this could see him follow a path laid out by Mesut Ozil and Martin Odegaard.
Ozil was a club-record signing for Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013, and he even played alongside Guler towards the end of his career, and his previous advice for the youngster is now very interesting given the latest transfer links.
Mesut Ozil’s advice for Arda Guler amid Arsenal links
Speaking to MARCA in April 2024, Ozil, who departed Arsenal in 2021, was asked what advice he would give to Guler, and he encouraged the young midfielder to be patient.
“I know him very well. He was like my little brother when we both played for Fenerbahce,” Ozil revealed.
“Everyone knows his talent, so I don’t want to praise him too much and put more pressure on him. His situation is not very easy to handle, especially when all the hopes of a country as fascinating for football as Turkey are placed on him.
“He should be patient. His time will surely come. He is still very young. He can learn a lot in every training session. And he has world-class players in front of him. Patience.”
Ozil was then asked whether Guler has the qualities to become an iconic figure at Real Madrid, and the former Arsenal star compared him to Odegaard.
“Yes. Maybe not this season or next, but there is time,” Ozil replied.
“And if it doesn’t work out, he can still look at cases like Odegaard, who made his way.
“Everyone criticised him when he wasn’t playing as a youngster, but a few years later he is the leader of another great European club like Arsenal.”
Arda Guler could follow Mesut Ozil and Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid to Arsenal
Ozil has hinted that Guler could find himself in a similar situation to himself and Odegaard when leaving Real Madrid for Arsenal.
The German was a key figure under Jose Mourinho, but the arrival of Gareth Bale meant that Real Madrid needed to make sales, and Ozil was sold to Arsenal despite fan fury at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Years later, Odegaard found himself on the fringes at Real Madrid, and joined Arsenal on loan for more game time. The Norweigan settled well, and Mikel Arteta was able to make his move a permanent one, and it’s safe to say that this was a success.
If Guler continues to struggle for game time at Real Madrid, he may take inspiration from the fact that Ozil and Odegaard have managed to have successful careers elsewhere, and the option to follow their path to Arsenal could be available in the future.
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