Arsenal completed the signing of Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard on loan until the end of the season to boost their push for a return to the Champions League. Odegaard shone when on loan at Real Sociedad last season, but has struggled for game time since returning to the Spanish champions this campaign. After 19 consecutive seasons in the Champions League between 1997/98 and 2016/17, Arsenal have missed out on European club football’s premier competition for the past four years. Winning the Europa League offers another path back to the Champions League and Odegaard will also be available for the Gunners’ when they face Benfica in the last 32 next month. Yet, like many other creative talents, Odegaard has not found favour with Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.

Source: Punch January 27, 2021 12:11 UTC