Keown anticipates exit for Arsenal star amid impending arrival

Martin Keown believes Arsenal’s signing of Martin Odegaard will spell the end of Dani Ceballos’ time at the club.

The Gunners have agreed terms with Real Madrid for Odegaard’s signature, and look set to announce his arrival shortly. The Norwegian has made only eight appearances for Real since 2015, this being his fifth loan move, but with Arsenal short of creativity in the middle of the park, both parties agreed a move for the midfielder would be an ideal fit.

This, however, leaves the future of fellow Madrid loanee Ceballos in doubt, with the Spaniard having started only 10 of Arsenal’s 19 Premier League games this season. Keown reckons his parent club will be ‘concerned’ about his playing time, raising the possibility of a potential recall.

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“I’m assuming Arsenal are all over it,” he told talkSPORT. “He [Odegaard] brings that quality into the midfield. It’s an area Arsenal need to strengthen.

“Does that mean Ceballos will go? He’s on loan as well. Is he going to get football? Real Madrid may be concerned, he hasn’t played that much so far.”

Rumours of the Odegaard signing have generated much excitement among the Arsenal fanbase, but Kevin Campbell, another ex-player, has urged caution.

In an interview with Metro, he said: “We’ve got enough experience in the squad to last a lifetime, we need to bring that age group down within the squad.

“Odegaard was on loan for the last season with Real Sociedad and did really well, went back to his parent club in Real Madrid and it hasn’t quite worked out for him.

“So he’s found his chances limited. He’s not the type of kid who wants to just sit around, he wants to play, he’s a very talented player.

“It’s a risk because I don’t know how he would react to playing in the Premier League, but one thing I do know is he’s got the talent.”