After finally being able to shift Mesut Ozil's salary off the books with his switch to Fenerbahce, Arsenal have sought to add creativity to their team with the loan signing of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid, but does the playmaker actually have a clear place with the Gunners?
Odegaard played some truly fantastic football during his loan spell with Real Sociedad, forcing Real Madrid to recall him from his loan spell a year early, yet Zinedine Zidane has simply refused to utilise him this term.
In 2020/21 the midfielder has only played 367 minutes under the French coach, forcing him to seek yet another loan spell away from the Spanish capital.
It didn't take long in the January transfer window for Odegaard to demand a temporary exit, and Arsenal were more than grateful to take the opportunity to add proven quality to a lacklustre squad, continuing what has appeared a good working relationship between the two teams in recent years.
Mikel Arteta has surprised people with his tactical choices since taking the top job at the Emirates Stadium, both from a positive and negative standpoint, but just how does he plan to incorporate Odegaard into his plans?
Playmaker within a 4-2-3-1 formation
Ozil's central role hasn't been filled by anyone since the German was declared persona non grata in North London in May, and the lack of creative spark in Arsenal's team is often clear to see.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is relied upon for goals, whilst Alexandre Lacazette has been forced to play his best football under Arteta as a deep-lying No.8.
Arteta has used a 4-2-3-1 formation more than any other since taking charge and there would be a central role in the midfield three for Odegaard to occupy.
He played in that very same role with La Real under Imanol Alguacil, and it turned him into one of Europe's most productive talents.
A central midfielder in a 4-3-3
Given Zidane's propensity for using this system, many saw Odegaard as the heir to Luka Modric's throne in a central midfield position.
However, Modric's upturn in form left that door closed to the Norwegian international, but he may well get another chance at it with Arsenal.
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka have to play, otherwise Arsenal's brittle defence has even less protection than normal, which simply isn't an option.
This would be a risky move in terms of balance, as the deeper midfield two would lack central cover and be unable to support attacking moves, there are also questions as to whether Odegaard has the physical characteristics to be a mobile presence in a shuttling role in England.
In his defence, Odegaard has worked diligently in defence at times, he doesn't shirk hard work, but the intensity of Premier League matches is something completely different to either LaLiga Santander or the Eredivisie.
A winger in a 3-4-3 formation
Odegaard has the ability to cut in on his strong foot from a wide position, although Arteta has all but abandoned this formation in recent weeks.
When positioned on the wing, the former Stromsgodset prodigy prefers to be stationed on the right, so he can cut in on his left.
However, he clearly lacks the physical attributes you'd want in a classic winger, and this is especially dangerous when Arsenal need to respond to counter-attacks, which we will see a lot in Saturday's meeting with Manchester United.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com