'They Weren't Patient': Arsenal Legend Reminds Real Madrid Of Why They Lost Odegaard

Martin Odegaard never really established himself as a first-team player at Real Madrid. The Norwegian couldn't displace the ageless Luka Modric from the starting XI and struggled to get playing time.

Real Madrid eventually sold Odegaard to Arsenal for €35m in the summer of 2021 after keeping the youngster on their books for six years.

According to Arsenal legend Ian Wright, Real Madrid lost a good player because they just weren't patient enough to develop the player.

“You’re talking about someone with this pedigree, Real Madrid took him on at 15," Arsenal legend Wright said on the Kelly and Wright Show.

“Everybody’s thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t wait to see this guy’, obviously they haven’t got the Patience for this development from then to now.

“Or, whether or not he’d be good enough to go into their team or not and do what he’s doing at Arsenal.

“But the main thing is, is that he’s found a way to a place which has accepted him for exactly what he brings to us.

“[He’s] leading by example, with the calibre of player he is, he’s captain already at 24," Wright added.

Wright also argued that Odegaard could finish the season as the Player of the Season in the Premier League this season.

“He’s looking at the minute like he could be player of the season, especially if Arsenal can finish this off,” Wright said.

Odegaard is Arsenal's captain and has scored eight goals in 17 Premier League matches. His form has helped Arsenal remain at the top of the Premier League table eight points clear of Manchester City in second place.

Could he have succeeded in Real Madrid like that if given a chance? We'd never find out.

Source: Tribuna