Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has insisted that Arsenal's younger players could see a stunt in their growth should they sign Martin Odegaard.
The Norway international's arrival will boost Mikel Arteta's squad options after Arsenal outcast Mesut Ozil completed a free transfer to Fenerbahce.
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However, the signing of Odegaard could have a knock-on effect on Arsenal starlets like Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka.
Rowe has made 15 appearances across all competitions this season and scored five times and registered five assists.
Saka, meanwhile, has also flourished with his first-team opportunities and made 25 appearances across all competitions, scoring five times and registering five assists.
The 19-year-old Gunners player scored on Tuesday as Arsenal beat Southampton 3-1 at St Mary.
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Speaking ahead of Odegaard's signing, Ferdinand said: "Competition's healthy and young players need the competition, but you don't want players coming in and stunting the growth of certain young players there.
"Especially ones that have just come into the team and starting to show good form. The belief the manager has shown in them.
"I think he [Arteta] is starting to shape a squad that's reflective of him. He can sit there and say this is me.
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"What he's getting is time. I think every manager needs that time. You need the confidence, the backing of the board and he seems to be getting that.
"I think a big situation that he walked into was the Mesut Ozil situation. That's gone. That's a cloud that was over him for a while because Mesut Ozil brought a lot of attention.
"The spotlight was on the club for the wrong reasons. Whether it was right or wrong I don't know.
"That situation is now gone and that isn't a problem anymore. He can really focus on what's going on the pitch. Concentrate on the training ground. Bringing in the young players."
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Odegaard's signing at Arsenal could be completed in time for the Gunners' match with United on Saturday.
Featured Image Credit: PA/YouTubeTopics: Football News, gunners, Football, Martin Odegaard, Premier League, Rio Ferdinand, Arsenal, Real Madrid, La Liga