In today’s day and age, sporting directors have become household names and how Andrea Berta fares in his first window at Arsenal is bound to generate plenty of discourse.
But so far, Arsenal supporters will be encouraged about all the reports emerging about the former Atletico Madrid director of football. Andrea Berta is handling Bukayo Saka’s new contract by assuring the Englishman that he is ready to make him the highest-paid player at the Emirates Stadium — which shows that his priorities lie in the right place.
Similarly, Berta could spend £300 million at Arsenal or even more in the summer — which will be music to the Gunners supporters’ ears as it seems clear as day that the Italian is prepared to go all out to build the best possible squad.
But one major decision that Andrea Berta will have to take during his time at Arsenal is regarding Martin Odegaard and his role in the side.
Andrea Berta should consider Martin Odegaard upgrade in transfer market
Odegaard is Arsenal’s captain and one of their best players and Berta must value his importance to the club as a whole.
But this season, Martin Odegaard has endured a surprise dip in form and since returning from his ankle injury as well, the Norwegian’s displays have not particularly improved — however, Andrea Berta must have experienced witnessing several players undergo rough spells during their careers.
But what should concern Berta is whether Odegaard can turn Arsenal into winners — considering Saka’s incredible performance against Real Madrid was another demonstration of the fact that he remains the English giants’ go-to match-winner — as the former Los Blancos playmaker had another quiet outing.
The 26-year-old, on the other hand lacks the ability to be able to create a moment of magic out of thin air — a deficiency in his game that has played an unfortunate hand in the North Londoners’ perennial failure to get over the line in the Premier League — especially when Saka’s form has eventually dwindled away.
Ethan Nwaneri has stunned Mikel Arteta this season and his latest assist for Thomas Partey’s opening goal against Brentford was another example of him being a potential game-changer.
But Nwaneri is just 18 and Andrea Berta perhaps should consider whether to sign an upgrade on Odegaard who could turn a game on its head from midfield on a consistent basis. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have shown how crucial a player of such a profile is who has the productivity and magic in his boots to bail teams out in knockout competitions and title races.
While Andrea Berta is unlikely to even ponder about reducing Odegaard’s role in this Arsenal side considering how key he is to pulling the strings, perhaps he can do so from deeper areas as he has done while a world-class number 10 can further elevate this group of players.
Three Martin Odegaard alternatives Arsenal can sign
Thankfully for the North Londoners, there are players on the market who could effectively in the £30 million (Sky Sports) man regardless of how he performs against Real Madrid.
Arsenal are interested in signing Florian Wirtz, who would perhaps be the ideal upgrade on Odegaard for Andrea Berta as the German is considering his future.
| THREE MARTIN ODEGAARD ALTERNATIVES ARSENAL SHOULD TARGET | CONTRACT EXPIRY |
| FLORIAN WIRTZ | 2027 |
| RAYAN CHERKI | 2027 |
| ALEX BAENA | 2028 |
Arsenal scouted Rayan Cherki against Manchester United as the Frenchman scored the winner in Lyon’s latest 2-2 draw — another player who has the flair, passing range and match-winning ability to take the Premier League by storm.
Alex Baena is open to signing for Aston Villa but surely the Spanish international’s head could be turned if Arsenal enter the fray for his signature.
