Arsenal got back to winning ways on Wednesday night with a comfortable victory over Kairat Almaty in the Champions League.
Sure, the scoreline could have been bigger, and the fact they conceded two goals is less than ideal, but the Gunners never looked in any danger of dropping points.
Moreover, the match allowed the likes of Kai Havertz and Riccardo Calafiori to get some game time.
Martinelli-Madueke-Gyokeres-Arsenal
However, there were a few players who underwhelmed, like Martin Odegaard, and that could be a problem for him, as Arsenal are now being linked with someone who could one day usurp him.
Arsenal target Odegaard rival
To nobody's surprise, Arsenal have had a very quiet transfer window so far this month.
The Gunners have been linked with a few stars, like Julian Alvarez, but that has been more about a mega-money move in the summer.
Well, as the window comes to a close, the club are once again being linked with a player who'd almost certainly be a summer target, someone who could spell trouble for Odegaard.
martin-odegaard-arsenal
At least that is according to a recent report from Caught Offside, which claims Arsenal are very interested in Alberto Moleiro.
The Gunners have been linked with the Villarreal star before, but the report states that there is now a feeling this interest could materialise into a formal approach in the summer.
The story does not reveal how much the talented Spaniard may cost, but reports from late last year claimed that a fee of around £26m might be enough.
It could still be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Moleiro's ability and potential, it's one Arsenal should fight for, even if his arrival could spell trouble for Odegaard.
Why Moleiro could be bad news for Odegaard
Now, the first thing to say is that yes, so far this season, Moleiro has primarily played as a winger.
Alberto-Moleiro-Las-Palmas
However, last season saw him spend most of his time in attacking midfield, and so it's clear that he's a player who thrives in both positions, which can only be a good thing.
Moreover, with the wide options Arteta currently has at his disposal, it feels more likely than not that the Villarreal star would be signed to play in the middle.
Therefore, his primary competitor for game time would be Odegaard.
Unfortunately for the Norwegian, this currently looks like a battle he would end up losing.
Odegaard-Arsenal
The main reason for this is that while he's great at retaining the ball, his output, or lack thereof, has become an issue.
For example, in 24 appearances this season, totalling 1318 minutes, the captain has scored just a single goal and provided five assists.
That comes out to a rather dire average of a goal involvement every four games, or every 219.66 minutes, which simply isn't good enough.
Moleiro vs Odegaard in 25/26
Players
Appearances
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Goal Involvements per Match
Minutes per Goal Involvement
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In stark contrast, Moleiro has already scored eight goals and provided three assists in just 28 appearances this season, totalling 1677 minutes.
That comes out to a seriously impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.54 games, or every 152.45 minutes.
In other words, despite being five years younger and playing in a worse team, the exciting dynamo is a more dangerous attacker than the Gunners' number eight.
Ultimately, it might not be easy, but so long as the price remains reasonable, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Moleiro this year, even if he could be bad news for Odegaard.
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