Will Arsenal replicate the "Odegaard scenario" with Arda Guler?

Arda Guler, the 19-year-old Real Madrid prodigy, is attracting attention from Arsenal amid a lack of opportunities to showcase his talent at Santiago Bernabeu. The London club hopes to replicate their success with Martin Odegaard – a highly anticipated transfer in 2021.

In 2015, Real Madrid signed Odegaard when he was just 16 years old, beating out a host of European giants. However, the star-studded midfield of players like Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Casemiro made it impossible for Odegaard to break into the first team, forcing him to play for several clubs on loan. Arsenal loaned the Norwegian midfielder in 2021 before buying him outright for €40 million. Currently, Odegaard is a key player and captain of the Gunners.

Similarly, Arda Guler is also struggling at Real Madrid. Having moved from Fenerbahce in 2023 for €20 million, the Turkish midfielder has only played 307 minutes this season despite an impressive performance at Euro 2024. According to Sport, Arsenal are actively pursuing Guler, with plans to loan him in January to explore his potential.

Guler's loan move not only helps him gain experience in the Premier League but also gives Arsenal the opportunity to assess his suitability before deciding on a long-term contract. If successful, this deal could become a major boost, creating a "Odegaard 2.0" at Emirates.