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‘He still has a future’

Troy Deeney believes that Martin Odegaard is still a key player for Arsenal, but admits that Ethan Nwaneri will replace him in the long run.

Speaking to talkSPORT.com about whether Arsenal has outgrown Odegaard, Deeney said: “Not yet I wouldn’t say, I do think there’s a succession plan where Ethan Nwaneri goes in that No.10 as a more a long-term solution.

“I think Martin Odegaard does a lot for the team that a lot of people don’t see.

“Just the position and the cuteness of his play, I think he’s excellent, but looking back at that game [Madrid], there was nobody that played less than a 9/10. They were all excellent.”

Deeney added: “I think he sets the press, he runs a lot, he’s the one that runs and everybody follows, he’s definitely added to Declan Rice as well.

“I think you’ve seen now, Declan Rice looks like he can run all over everybody, I think he gets that from Odegaaard.

“Does he take too many touches? He went through a spell of missing chances in November/December time, he didn’t score.

“I just think, has he got to that place now where he is looking to slip somebody else in, and maybe understanding that maybe shooting is not his forte I suppose. But I still think he has a future.”