Paul Scholes’ suggestion that Arsenal should have signed either Jhon Durán or Alexander Isak during the January transfer window adds an interesting dimension to the conversation about Martin Ødegaard’s role at the club. Scholes emphasizes that Ødegaard, a brilliant playmaker, could benefit from having a “proper” center-forward to work with. His point is that Ødegaard’s creativity, as a No. 10, is best utilized when there’s a striker capable of finishing the chances he creates, and he feels that neither Kai Havertz nor the current set-up fully provides that.
The mention of Isak, who has proven himself at Newcastle, and Durán, who left Villa for Al Nassr, underscores the importance of a forward who can offer more than just movement—someone who can directly contribute to goals. Scholes believes that with such a player in front of him, Ødegaard could elevate his own game and become even more effective.
Considering Arsenal’s attacking options at the moment, it’s clear that Scholes sees room for improvement in how they complement Ødegaard’s playmaking abilities. The debate around signing a true striker is nothing new for Arsenal fans, as the club has long been associated with high-quality attacking midfielders, but whether or not they’ve found the right balance in the forward department remains a point of discussion.
What are your thoughts on this—do you think Arsenal could benefit from a striker like Isak or Durán to get even more out of Ødegaard?
