Martin Ødegaard, who currently leads Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, was initially met with skepticism when he was made captain. However, his leadership has proven effective. Ødegaard plays a pivotal role in the team, functioning as a right-sided number eight when Arsenal has possession and dropping deeper to support build-up play. Defensively, he moves into a more advanced role, pressing alongside Kai Havertz, which sets up a formation akin to a 4-4-2.
Despite his considerable skill, Ødegaard is somewhat undervalued, even as he remains central to Arsenal’s tactics.
Alongside their trust in Ødegaard, Arsenal is now focusing on another promising Norwegian talent, Sverre Nypan, who has caught the eye of Manchester United. Nypan, a 17-year-old midfielder from Rosenborg, has impressed in Norway’s Eliteserien, notching five goals and six assists in 19 games.
Arsenal is reportedly preparing to pursue Nypan, recognizing his potential for a career trajectory similar to Ødegaard’s. While Manchester United was initially leading the interest, their enthusiasm appears to have diminished, opening the door for Arsenal to potentially secure the young talent.
Arsenal is expected to begin negotiations with Rosenborg for Nypan in January 2025. Although Manchester United retains some interest, Arsenal is optimistic about convincing Nypan to join their squad, believing they can develop him to achieve similar success as Ødegaard.
