Martin Odegaard has been compared to Mesut Ozil ahead of his imminent move to Arsenal.
The Real Madrid playmaker is set to join the Gunners on loan until the end of the season.
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Odegaard, an attacking midfielder, appears to be the ideal replacement for Ozil, who signed for Fenerbahce on Sunday.
Norwegian journalist Pal Gorden Nilson has likened Odegaard, who arrived at the Bernabeu as a 16-year-old, to Ozil.
“I don’t think Arsenal should really think now that this is the new Mesut Ozil,” he told talkSPORT 2.
“He’s the kind of player like Ozil, he’s a creative midfielder, a No.10 player. Perhaps he could give some good passes to [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang and [Alexandre] Lacazette.
“He’s creative, talented, but [Arsenal manager] Mikel Arteta needs to get the best out of him to really see the real Martin Odegaard. He’s very talented.
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“He made his debut for Norway at 15 years old. He still hasn’t shown his full potential.”
Odegaard, 22, has enjoyed successful loan spells with Vitesse and Real Sociedad over the past two seasons.
He returned to Real Madrid last summer, but has made just three LaLiga starts under Zinedine Zidane this term.
Nilson claims Odegaard snubbed rival clubs in favour of Arsenal after speaking to Arteta.
He added: “What I’ve heard in Norway is that Arteta called Martin and convinced him to come to Arsenal. He will give him a chance, he’s the kind of player they need.
“It seems like Martin had other options, but somehow he chose Arsenal.
“That tells me Arteta really wants to give him a chance.”
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