Odegaard runs the show as Norway advance
Martin Odegaard is in the form of his life. Norway beat Ivory Coast 2–1 in the World Cup round of 32 on 30 June, and your captain recorded his third assist in three matches (1).
Norwegian outlet Iharstad was glowing: "What a second half when Norway needed him!" Odegaard dropped deep early, stayed sharp defensively, then sparked a lethal counterattack right after the break. A brilliant free kick later nearly produced a fourth assist. He controlled the game in Dallas (1).
He now faces Brazil, and two of his own teammates, Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli, in the next round (Reddit 2). "They have a really good team, a lot of good players," Odegaard said. "Hopefully we can give them a good fight" (Reddit 2).
Get the next Arsenal FC brief by email
This article went out to subscribers as a brief. Get the next one straight to your inbox, free.
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Guimaraes still the priority, Newcastle digging in
Arsenal are not backing off Bruno Guimaraes. A bid has already been rejected, but the club persist, and Newcastle are worried he could follow the Alexander Isak playbook and force a move (4). The Brazilian remains your top midfield target.
Barcola emerges as Plan B
Bradley Barcola is on the list. The PSG forward is being considered as an alternative attacking option if the primary targets do not land (2) (3) (8). Versatile, quick, and still only 23, the profile fits.
Tzolis deal close
Christos Tzolis is expected to join from Club Brugge soon (5). The 24-year-old winger adds depth behind Martinelli and can cover multiple positions across the front line. One source frames it as a matter of when, not if (5).
Trossard heading for the exit
Leandro Trossard is close to joining Besiktas (7). The Belgian's minutes dried up and the Turkish window gives both sides a clean break.
Timber gets a new boss at Marseille
Jurrien Timber has a new head coach at Marseille (8). No recall clause has been mentioned publicly, but a managerial change mid-loan is worth watching.
The injury list nobody wants to see
Here it is. Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, Piero Hincapie, all either managing knocks, post-tournament fatigue, or minimal rest heading into the title defence (6).
Odegaard is the one bright spot, flying through the World Cup. The concern is real: Arsenal could open the 2026/27 season with a threadbare squad (6).
Fan-reaktioner
The mood around Odegaard is euphoric, he is only the third player on record to assist in each of his first three World Cup appearances (r/Gunners). Fans are already bracing for the Norway–Brazil clash as the tie of the round, with Gabriel and Martinelli on the other side. Elsewhere, Kepa's openness to leaving if a starting role comes along has sparked a debate about Illan Meslier as a cut-price replacement, the free transfer angle is doing a lot of work (r/Gunners).
