After Liverpool left the Premier League last summer, they looked to start spending money to build a dynasty. Although that failed, Arsenal believe they are in a position to lead the league for years to come.
After years of struggle under manager Mikel Arteta, Arsenal finally lifted the trophy last year, but lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, missing out on their season-best record.
Arsenal believe they can cement their place at the top of the pyramid, but of course football is never that simple. Things ebb and flow. Arsenal are likely to miss out on the title for the next few years, but Arteta is not blind to that and wants to build a high baseline that will allow the Gunners to outperform their rivals for many years to come.
The Emirates side have a formidable squad of players, but just a few tweaks could make a big difference. There has been plenty of talk about the exciting addition, but understandably the deal has cost at least one player game time, leaving the captain in a pinch.
Why Odegaard’s playing time is in jeopardy
Martin Odegaard has been one of Arsenal’s most important players since joining from Real Madrid. Initially on loan, the Norwegian playmaker has now made 234 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 42 goals and providing 46 assists.
Injuries and repeated declines in form have limited the 27-year-old Odegaard, who has struggled to gather, create passes that cut through defenses and add an impactful attacking force that could take Arsenal to even greater heights.
The 2025/26 season was at times a battle of attrition for the Gunners, lacking the spark that Odegaard might have had had he been firing at full throttle.
Odegaard’s journey to the Premier League | ||
|---|---|---|
season | App (launch) | Goal + Assist |
25/26 | 24(16) | 1+6 |
24/25 | 36(26) | 3+8 |
23/24 | 35(35) | 8+10 |
22/23 | 37 (37) | 15+7 |
21/22 | 36(22) | 7+4 |
20/21 | 14(9) | 1+2 |
There is no denying that Odegaard has taken a backseat in recent years, no longer being the arbiter of Arsenal’s success but merely an adjunct to an overindulgent system.
He may be one of the most talented players in the Premier League, but Arsenal will only solidify their status with a player who can prove to be an upgrade.
Perhaps that’s why Arteta and Berta are considering a move for Aston Villa star Morgan Rodgers.
Three Lions star Rodgers is at the top of the Londoner’s shortlist and personal terms are close to being agreed.
But in reality, it may be another arrival who will have the most decisive impact on Odegaard’s place at the heart of Arteta’s project.
Mr. Odegaard upgrade: “I want to live in London”
Rodgers and Odegaard are both attacking midfielders, but their attacking abilities are very different, with the Norwegian captain more of a deep-lying playmaker and less explosive and dynamic on the move.
And with that in mind, Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimarães could indeed be the man to take Odegaard’s place this summer.
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According to Fabrizio Romano, “There is an agreement in principle between Guimarães and Arsenal on personal terms,” with the Brazil international hinting at his desire to leave St James’ Park and sign for the Gunners this summer.
An unofficial offer of £55 million has already been rejected, but a transfer guru says the player is “ready to sign and there was never any question” as “the player’s desire is to live in London” and “he wants to go to Arsenal”.
Two offers have already been made, but both have been rejected by Eddie Howe’s outfit. But it is now believed that a £72m offer could be acceptable for the 28-year-old, who is currently at the peak of his career and is keen to challenge himself at the highest level.
He is invaluable to Newcastle, but there is a limit and there is a sense that the Magpies could part with some valuable silver as Guimarães enters the penultimate year of his contract.
Guimarães has been Newcastle’s defining superstar in recent years and is synonymous with the club’s rise under Howe. He’s so good at everything that he’s practically the real deal.
Premier League Form (2025/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per 90) | Odegaard | Guimaraes |
Match (start) | 24(16) | 29(27) |
Goal + Assist | 1+6 | 9+5 |
touch* | 41.6 | 70.1 |
Exact path* | 29.2 (85%) | 43.1 (86%) |
A big opportunity has arisen | 6 | 7 |
Key pass* | 1.7 | 1.6 |
Loss of ownership* | 8.4 | 14.0 |
It was successful. dribble* | 0.4 | 0.6 |
Ball recovery rate* | 2.9 | 4.7 |
Tackle + Interception* | 1.1 | 2.6 |
clearance* | 0.3 | 1.2 |
Win a duel* | 1.7 | 5.8 |
Perhaps the fact that Arsenal are determined to sign both Rodgers and Guimarães this summer may underline the struggle ahead for Odegaard. If both players sign, and if the kick-on fails, it is difficult to see how the Norwegian will maintain a leading role in the team.
While it seems unlikely that Arsenal will get rid of Odegaard this summer, the Norwegian captain is definitely down from his previous standard and Arsenal lack a bit of that vitality, so Guimarães could be the key to unlocking the potential level of Arteta’s project.
It’s not that Guimarães is inherently more creative than Odegaard, but rather that he is a much more complete, combative, cultured, creative and crafty midfielder, allowing for Rice’s ball-running and creation qualities while also stabilizing the central structure and creating a framework from which players like Rodgers can burst forth and wreak havoc in dangerous areas.
Arsenal are in a strong position and when a football team is in a strong position they have to take advantage of it. Liverpool tried that last summer but swayed too hard.
It’s hard to imagine Arsenal making the same mistake with such an exciting addition.
