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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jake Polden

Donny van de Beek's spotted sending Martin Odegaard message on Arsenal touchline

It's unusual for opposition players to wish each other good luck during a match.

But that's exactly what appeared to happen during Arsenal's Premier League clash with Manchester United at the Emirates on Saturday.

The Gunners recently completed the loan signing of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid, with the 22-year-old joining for the remainder of the season.

Odegaard was named on the bench for Arsenal this weekend, but looked like he could be coming on midway through the second half when Willian went down injured.

The Brazilian had not long been on the pitch when he picked up a knock, and Sky Sports cameras turned to Odegaard warming up on the touchline.

(Sky Sports)

At the same moment the Norwegian jogged past Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek, who has been out of the starting XI in recent weeks.

Reacting to Willian going down, Van de Beek pulled Odegaard in for a hug and appeared to be sending him a message of good luck ahead of his Premier League debut.

The pair were then seen smiling at one another, with Gary Neville speculating that Van de Beek was indeed wishing Odegaard good luck.

Red Devils midfielder Van de Beek knows Odegaard quite well as the Real Madrid forward spent a season on loan at Vitesse back in 2018.

Van de Beek, who joined Manchester United in the summer for £35million, was at Ajax at the time, and the duo crossed paths while both competing in the Eredivisie.

Unfortunately for Odegaard, he wasn't able to make his Arsenal debut at that moment because Willian returned to his feet and played on.

But he did get a run-out ten minutes before the end, coming on for Emile Smith Rowe.

Will Arsenal finish above Manchester United in the Premier League? Have your say here.

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