Martin Odegaard tipped for new Arsenal role after Mikel Arteta finds 'new Andrea Pirlo'
Arsenal's Martin Odegaard has been tipped for a big change as he could become the 'new Andrea Pirlo' and partner with Declan Rice.
Former defender Mikael Silvestre believes that Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta can transform Odegaard into the next Pirlo by positioning him deeper in midfield. Odegaard has been a key player in another promising season for the Gunners, and Silvestre thinks he can take on a wider role.
Arsenal are currently leading the Premier League as top goal scorers, having scored 70 goals in 28 games. They're ahead of Liverpool and Manchester City in the title race.
The Gunners have also been scoring freely in the Champions League and made it to their first quarter-final since 2010 after defeating FC Porto on penalties at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. Odegaard is central to every attack, with nine goals and eight assists in 36 appearances across all competitions this season, reports the Express.
However, Silvestre thinks that the Arsenal captain can be just as influential in a deeper position alongside Rice, similar to Italian legend Pirlo. «Martin [Odegaard] can play everywhere in midfield. He could also play in the position Andrea Pirlo played back in the day at AC Milan,» said the Frenchman to bettingexpert.
«He's got that faculty and so many qualities, obviously technically but also in terms of positioning, link-up play and interacting with other players. He can have an impact, whether he's in a deep position or an advanced one.
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