Is Mikel Arteta finding an upgrade for Martin Odegaard as Arsenal eye Morgan Gibbs-White? | OneFootball

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard had an underwhelming individual campaign last term, and manager Mikel Arteta is eyeing a summer move for another player in his position.

The Emirates Stadium club hold an interest in signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White this summer, according to The Athletic.

While the 25-year-old is not expected to take Odegaard’s place in the Arsenal starting XI, Arteta needs a fierce competitor for his skipper.

The Norway international midfielder’s key metrics dipped last season, and Arteta could be ready to put sentiment aside as he chases the Premier League title again next term.

Odegaard could still recover his old form after the ankle injury he suffered at the start of last season and a longer-than-usual illness over the festive period disrupted his rhythm.

He ended the season with three goals and eight assists in 30 Premier League appearances, a significant decline from the eight goals and 11 assists he tallied in 35 league games during the 2023/24 campaign.

Gibbs-White does not boast similar numbers, but the ‘impossible to dispossess‘ England international has been consistent and improving over the last three seasons.

He ended 2022-23 with five league goals and eight assists, 2023-24 with five league goals and ten assists, and bagged seven league goals and ten assists last term.

Arsenal may take a punt on him, and he could ultimately prove to be an upgrade on Odegaard.

Odegaard is a key player for Arsenal, but Arteta is under pressure to win silverware and may decide to take drastic action this summer.