Young Gun safe from Odegaard

MIKEL ARTETA insisted that the imminent arrival midfielder Martin Odegaard from La Liga champions Real Madrid will not hamper the progress of Emile Smith Rowe, who has been instrumental in Arsenal’s change of fortune in the past month.

Norway international Odegaard, 22, who toured Arsenal’s training ground at 16 but opted to join the glamour of Real Madrid, plays in the same attacking role as Smith Rowe, 20, though he is more versatile and can also play out wide.

FA Cup holders Arsenal lost 1-0 to Southampton in the FA Cup yesterday but were without Smith Rowe, who was rested.

Real Madrid and Arsenal remain in talks to finalise the deal and Arteta said: ‘I cannot talk about any player who is not ours.’

But asked about Smith Rowe’s prospects should another No 10 with a strong pedigree join, the Arsenal manager said: ‘We have a very clear idea of how we want to develop our players and what we need to do.

‘All the decisions that we make are just to reinforce that development and try to give them the best possible chance.’

Smith Rowe, who has represented England through the age ranges, joined Arsenal at the age of 10. He has since been sent on loan to RB Leipzig and Huddersfield Town.