Mark Schwarzer Hails Martin Odegaard As “An Absolute Bargain” After Impressive Season
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer hails Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard as “an absolute bargain” following his stunning performances this season.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been making headlines this season with his stellar performances, and former Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer believes the Norwegian midfielder is proving to be “an absolute bargain” for the Gunners.
Odegaard has notched up 14 goals in 33 Premier League games, demonstrating his worth after joining Arsenal from Real Madrid for £30m in August 2021.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast, Schwarzer shared his thoughts on the 24-year-old’s impact.
“When Odegaard first came to the club, you saw signs of what a quality player he could go on to be, but at that point he wasn’t scoring enough goals to impact the game enough in the final third,” he said.
However, Odegaard’s performances this season have changed the narrative. “He has really added that to his game,” Schwarzer explained.
“He is making runs into the box late, and he is arriving in those positions. His finishing has improved. That is partly down to confidence because of how well the season has gone for him, but he looks a totally different player and, at £30m, an absolute bargain.”
Odegaard’s growth has been evident, with his brace in Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Chelsea on Tuesday further showcasing his prowess.
The Norwegian’s development has been vital for the Gunners as they chase the Premier League title, with his creativity and goal-scoring ability providing the team with an edge in crucial matches.
The Arsenal captain has stepped up as a leader both on and off the pitch, winning over fans and pundits alike. His impressive form has been a testament to his hard work, determination, and the faith placed in him by manager Mikel Arteta.
As the season reaches its climax, Odegaard’s continued excellence will be key to Arsenal’s ambitions. The club’s investment in the young midfielder is already paying dividends, and if his current form is any indication, there is still plenty more to come from the Norwegian sensation.
In the cutthroat world of football transfers, finding a gem like Odegaard for £30m is a rarity.
As Schwarzer has noted, he has turned out to be an absolute bargain for Arsenal – a player who is not only living up to expectations but exceeding them, providing hope and excitement for the future of the North London club.
You may remember that Mark Schwarzer almost joined Arsenal in 2010.
Roy Hodgson, then Fulham manager, informed him of Arsenal’s interest and agreed to the move as long as they received enough money.
However, Hodgson left for Liverpool soon after, and the deal did not materialise under new manager Mark Hughes with reports that Arsenal would not pay the extra £1m that Fulham wanted.
Schwarzer later played for Chelsea and Leicester City but did not earn a Premier League winners’ medal with either team.
