After a week of anxious waiting, today is the day Arsenal could book themselves a place in the Champions League final for only the second time in the club's history.
However, Mikel Arteta's men will need to put in the best performance of the season and make amends for their incredibly underwhelming display in the first leg.
In particular, club captain Martin Odegaard will have to show the fans just why he was handed the armband in 2022, as to describe his personal campaign this year as disappointing would be quite an understatement.
odegaard-arsenal
The Norwegian has looked like a different, far less effective player for much of it, and there is a chance the club are already looking at their options, with recent reports linking them to a Premier League star who'd be a massive but costly upgrade.
Arsenal transfer news
Given Odegaard's lacklustre form this year, it's hardly surprising that, in recent weeks, Arsenal have been linked to a plethora of midfield talents, such as Brahim Diaz and Desire Doue.
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The former is reportedly available for around £51m and has enjoyed a decent enough campaign with Real Madrid, racking up a haul of six goals and seven assists in just 2058 minutes of first-team action.
On the other hand, Doue could cost as much as £86m, but with a staggering tally of 13 goals and 12 assists in 49 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain this season, it would be hard to say he wouldn't be worth it.
Paris St Germain's Desire Doue reacts
However, given the Gunners' desperation to win the Premier League next season, they may want someone who already knows the league, which is where Morgan Rogers comes into play.
According to a recent report from Football Transfers, Arsenal are 'firmly in the race' to secure the Aston Villa star's signature in the summer, with Sporting Director Andrea Berta said to be 'a huge admirer.'
However, the report also claims that Manchester United and Chelsea are interested in the Englishman, while another story from March valued him at a whopping £100m.
It would be an incredibly complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Rogers' immense ability and potential, it is one well worth fighting for, especially as he'd be a massive Odegaard upgrade.
How Rogers compares to Odegaard
The first thing to say is that while Unai Emery has been playing Rogers on the wing at points this season, his most played and undoubtedly preferred position this season has been attacking midfield.
Rogers
Therefore, were he to join Arsenal for the fees being banded around, then he'd most certainly do so with the intention of starting every game, in turn putting him up against Odegaard - but who comes out on top?
Well, when it comes down to their raw output this season, it's Villa's "machine," as dubbed by The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell, who comes out on top and quite comfortably at that.
Rogers vs Odegaard
Players
Appearances
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Goal Involvements per Match
Minutes per Goal Involvement
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, in 51 appearances, totalling 4233 minutes, he's scored 14 goals and provided 13 assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.88 games, or every 156.77 minutes.
In contrast, the Gunners' captain has scored five goals and provided 11 assists in 41 appearances, totalling 3162 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.56 games, or every 197.62 minutes.
On top of that, the former Manchester City prospect comes out far better when we take a look at some of the other important attacking metrics, such as conversion rate, chances created, and take-ons completed.
Finally, while this isn't massively important today, the Halesowen-born maestro is four years younger than the former Real Madrid wonderkid, so if Arteta were to bring him in, he might not need to worry about replacing him for the best part of a decade, which could allow the club to focus on other areas of need.
Morgan Rogers vs Odegaard
Ultimately, while Odegaard is a talented footballer, Rogers appears to be far superior in most ways, and if Arsenal can sign him this summer, they should do all they can to do it.
Martin Odegaard looks dejected for Arsenal Related
[Drop him: Arteta must axe £50m Arsenal "warrior" who's as bad as Odegaard](https://www.footballfancast.com/as-bad-as-odegaard-arteta-must-now-axe-arsenal-star-ben-white/ "Drop him: Arteta must axe £50m Arsenal "warrior" who's as bad as Odegaard")
Martin Odegaard isn't the only underperformer in Arsenal colours.