Arsenal's Odegaard starting to look like a €40m flop
Martin Odegaard burst onto the European scene in 2015 as a fresh-faced youngster with the world at his feet.
The Norwegian signed for Spanish giants Real Madrid as a 16-year-old billed as the next wonderkid who would become Real's answer to Lionel Messi.
But, like so many before him, he failed to hit the heights many had predicted for him and, in January 2021, Odegaard arrived at Arsenal on loan.
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After the initial success of the loan move, Mikel Arteta decided to splash £31 million (€40m) to make the transfer from Real a permanent one.
Odegaard failing to live up to promise
But now, just like his time in Madrid, it appears Odegaard is failing to live up to the hype that followed him.
Odegaard has played 12 games this season, starting seven times in the Premier League.
But a lack of goals from both him and the team as a whole forced Arteta to replace him with Alexandre Lacazette against Crystal Palace in October.
Lacazette scored a last-minute equaliser in the match and this forced Odegaard out of the team. He would appear from the bench in the next four matches.
Arsenal fans not happy
But despite returning to the starting XI for the Gunners' 2-0 home win over Newcastle on Saturday, Odegaard was singled out by fans on Twitter.
@cescfemi posted: "That Odegaard is just poor...makes me wonder how spent that much on him."
@tunarmania wrote: "Odegaard is overrated but no one is ready for this conversation."
@NotMyManager said: "Could’ve had a decent winger or big backup striker for that Odegaard money, makes u wonder."
Odegaard, 22, has scored only once this campaign when he notched the winner in a 1-0 win over Burnley.
He has yet to provide an assist.
Arsenal face Manchester United in their next Premier League fixture, and Odegaard will be hoping he can get the fans back on his side by helping his team to a famous Old Trafford victory.
