Martin Odegaard. (Getty)
Arsenal’s season is still very much alive despite a recent dip in form.
While they have fallen short in the EFL Cup and FA Cup, their Premier League title push remains intact — albeit with a narrowing margin — and they are now just two games away from a Champions League final.
Even with so much at stake in the closing weeks, the club are continuing to plan ahead, identifying elite young talent as part of their long-term vision.
Arsenal Scouting Eirik Granaas
Arsenal have been closely tracking Norwegian wonderkid Eirik Granaas, a 16-year-old midfielder already being tipped as the “next Martin Ødegaard.”
The teenager has made a remarkable start to his senior career with Fredrikstad, breaking into first-team football at just 15 years and 90 days — younger than Ødegaard was when he debuted in Norway’s top division. Like the Arsenal captain, Granaas also hails from Drammen, further fuelling comparisons between the two.
According to The Sun, Arsenal scouts have followed his progress for nearly a year, monitoring his development since his breakthrough. His technical ability, vision and composure on the ball have marked him out as one of the most exciting prospects in Scandinavia.
However, any potential deal is far from straightforward. Due to post-Brexit regulations, Arsenal would be unable to sign Granaas until he turns 18 — a significant hurdle that could allow other European clubs to steal a march.
RB Leipzig are among those circling, and their strong track record of developing young players could give them a major advantage if they move quickly.
Granaas might only be 16, but the noise around him is getting louder by the week — and Arsenal clearly don’t want to be late to the party. The problem? Timing isn’t on their side.
With Premier League rules forcing them to wait, this is one of those deals where hesitation could prove costly. If Leipzig or another European club move quickly, Arsenal may be left watching from afar as the “next Ødegaard” takes his next step elsewhere.
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