Arsenal to repeat Odegaard trick with 'unhappy' Real Madrid star

Tom Weber

Updated: 20 Nov 2024 10:12 CST
3 min read

Martin Odegaard, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal — © IMAGO

Arsenal remain keen on Real Madrid benchwarmer Arda Guler, according to Spanish media.

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The Turkish wonderkid's fortunes at Real Madrid have not massively improved in recent months. Signed in 2023, Guler's first season was disrupted by injuries, which stunted his integration into Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Towards the end of the campaign, he only featured in limited minutes but Ancelotti repeatedly insisted that he would yet have a big role to play for Los Blancos. After an impressive Euro 2024 campaign with his country, Guler looked set to become a more regular fixture at Real Madrid.

However, things haven't quite panned out that way. Guler has made just three starts in LaLiga this term and his minutes tally across all competitions stands at just 307 at present.

Unsurprisingly, the 19-year-old is far from content with the situation and speculation surrounding his future is once again ramping up.

Guler to Arsenal?

Already in the summer, it was claimed that scouts from the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool were at Euro 2024 to keep an eye on Guler and Sport now reports that the Gunners remain keen on the Turk.

The attacking midfielder 'is not happy at Real Madrid' and Arsenal sense another Martin Odegaard scenario. An eminently talented wonderkid, the Norwegian never really got a chance to impress in Spain's capital, so Arsenal swooped and helped him become one of the Premier League's best midfielders.

Similarly, to Odegaard, Arsenal would initially test the waters - and his suitability to Mikel Arteta's side - with a loan, though the Spanish outlet does not state whether Real Madrid are open to such a course of action.

One can't help but recall the words of former Real Madrid favourite and Guler's teammate at Fenerbahce, Mesut Ozil, who said in April: "If it is not working out [at Real], he can still look at how Odegaard forged his path.

"Everyone criticised him when he did not play at the youngest age, but a few years on, he is the leader at another big European club, at Arsenal FC."