Arsenal’s most recent Premier League victory over Everton saw captain Martin Odegaard once again get himself on the scoresheet, with the Norwegian playmaker sweeping the ball home following fine work by Leandro Trossard down the left flank.
That composed finish – which was in stark contrast to the 24-year-old’s inexplicable miss against Aston Villa just a few weeks ago – ensured that the former Real Madrid man now has nine top-flight goals to his name this season, as well as a further six assists to boot.
Such a devastating impact has not only been integral to the Gunners’ remarkable title charge so far this term but has also seen Odegaard earn comparisons to both Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie in recent times, while football.london editor Hush Kerai previously suggested that seeing the midfield maestro in action was like “watching [Dennis] Bergkamp”.
That glowing praise has ensured that the club’s initial £30m capture of the one-time Real Sociedad loanee now appears a total bargain, with Mikel Arteta’s side undoubtedly fortunate to have been able to secure the services of such an influential asset.
While the £115k-per-week man is unlikely to be contemplating an exit from the Emirates any time soon, there have been murmurings regarding a possible return to the Spanish capital, hence the need for the north Londoners to have a contingency plan in place.
If the high-flying outfit are to look for an heir to the 5 foot 10 machine any time soon, then there could well be a suitable option who is already on the club’s books, in the form of teenager, Jimi Gower.
Who is Arsenal starlet Jimi Gower?
Like Odegaard, the 18-year-old wonderkid also possesses the flexibility to feature in both a central midfield role and a playmaking berth, having also mirrored the more senior figure in captaining the side at U18 level on occasion this season.
The promising Englishman is clearly a player who can also impact proceedings in the final third, with that showcased by the fact that he has five goals and two assists to his name in 13 appearances across all competitions, including four goals and one assist in only nine league outings for the U18s.
The exciting gem – whose father Mark Gower previously played in the Premier League for Swansea City – has notably earned praise from Arsenal youth coach and famed academy graduate, Jack Wilshere of late, with the now-retired ace having lauded Gower as something of an uncoachable talent, such is his quality.
The former England international told The Athletic: “There are some things that you see from Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Bradley Ibrahim, Jimi Gower — they do things you can’t coach. That’s why they’re at Arsenal. They need a few things tactically. I like my midfielders to be on the half-turn, play forward and touch forward, dribble if you can.”
To be able to learn from such a high-profile figure like Wilshere – who made 197 appearances for the club in total – will likely only help in the youngster’s development, with the aim for Gower to emulate the 31-year-old and rise up through the age groups in the coming months and years.
The hope will be that it is not too long before the midfielder is involved in the first-team squad, where he will be able to learn from Odegaard and the like up close.