- 23 hours ago
Arsenal transfer target Fekir: Better than Odegaard
Carlo Garganese
- Updated: 17 May 2021 16:54 BST
- 4 min read
Nabil Fekir is reportedly a summer transfer target for Arsenal and the statistics show that the Real Betis star is more productive than Martin Odegaard.
Both the Spanish and English media have reported in the last few days that Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the French attacking midfielder.
According to different sources, Arteta is considering moving for Fekir if either of on-loan Real Madrid duo Odegaard or Dani Ceballos don’t sign permanently this summer.
READ MORE: ‘If you can’t sign Odegaard, don’t play him’
Arsenal would like to make Odegaard’s deal permanent after a bright start to his career in north London, having moved on loan in January.
But would he be a better option that Fekir in the central attacking midfield role?
When we compare the two players statistically this season, then Fekir comes out on top.
Fekir has scored three goals to Odegaard’s two, although the latter has played five less games and had nine less starts than his rival.
Fekir: Statistics in 2020/21
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Games | 31 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Dribbles | 167 |
| Attacking challenges | 435 |
The Frenchman has five assists to the Norwegian’s three at a slightly superior average per game.
Fekir is averaging far more shots per game, 2.6 to Odegaard’s 1, and more crosses – 1.26 to 0.5.
His Expected Goals (xG) total is 0.25 a game to Odegaard’s 0.09, while his dribbling numbers are far superior – 5.4 dribbles per 90 minutes to 1.65.
His defensive stats are also much better. He is making 18 challenges a game to 6, 2.1 tackles to 1.23, 14 attacking challenges to 4, and 3.3 air challenges to 1.08.
PURO @NabilFekir…
#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/2Xt5Zql04k
— LaLiga (@LaLiga) March 25, 2021
The only key metric where Odegaard really comes out on top is when it comes to key passes; 0.88 a game to Fekir’s 0.39.
Fekir hit the headlines last weekend with a stunning individual goal for Betis against Levante.
He picked up the ball on the halfway line before slaloming past four players and slotting through the legs of the goalkeeper.
This goal broke the deadlock with 20 minutes remaining in a game that Betis went on to win 2-0.
