Real Madrid are already worried that criticism in England could end up ruining Martin Odegaard’s loan move to Arsenal.
The young midfielder completed his move to the Emirates today, having flown to England to finalise the switch yesterday.
He will spend the rest of the season with Mikel Arteta’s side, having pushed for a move away from Real Madrid to get the regular playing he needs at this point in his career.
The move has largely been seen as something of a coup for Arsenal, who are adding the creative midfielder their team desperately needs, and at very little cost.
However, as is always the case, there’s been criticism as well, with several high-profile pundits questioning the move and the player before he’s even kicked a ball in an Arsenal shirt.
That has not gone unnoticed in Spain, according to Defensa Central, who say that Madrid ‘worry a lot’ about the criticism Odegaard is receiving.
It is their fear that such comments will add ‘extra pressure’ to the player and that he could land in England with a certain fear of being criticised, something which could ‘play a trick’ on him and ensure he doesn’t flourish as he should at the Emirates.
Florentino Perez and Zinedine Zidane hope that won’t happen and believe he’ll have a good time in London, as he did at Real Sociedad last year, but the concern is criticism outside could hamper that.
The key will be Arteta sticking to his word and giving the player regular playing time, something Perez is hoping he will do.
