Arsenal have completed their second signing of the January transfer window.
The emphasis for Mikel Arteta in the winter window so far has been on outgoings, with Mesut Ozil and Sokratis having their contracts terminated, while Matt Macey left for Hibernian and Sead Kolasinac and William Saliba went out on loan to Schalke and Nice respectively.
Only Mat Ryan had come in from Brighton on loan before Wednesday, when after much speculation, Martin Odegaard joined the Gunners on loan from Real Madrid until the end of the season.
So what can Arsenal fans expect from the talented youngster who shot to prominence at the age of 15?
Odegaard's name has gradually fallen from prominence since he signed for Real Madrid as a 16-year-old wonderkid. He has engaged in a series of loan spells to the likes of Heerenveen and Real Sociedad, but has ultimately struggled to establish himself at the Bernabeu.
Has he truly failed, or has he simply failed to get on the pitch?
Still just 22, Odegaard remains incredibly talented and his potential ceiling is a lot higher than the large majority of players around the world.
For Sociedad last season, the Norwegian showcased his ability to perform to a consistently high level in one of Europe's top five leagues, with his underlying numbers offering an insight into what he's like as a player.
Operating in a variety of different roles but primarily as a central midfielder or no.10, Odegaard certainly posed an offensive threat but it is important to look beyond goals and assists to accurately paint his skill set.
Over the course of 2,527 minutes on the field in La Liga, Odegaard scored just four times and registered six assists, which equates to a direct scoring contribution roughly every 253 minutes.
For perspective, Richarlison averaged one every 194 minutes for Everton in the Premier League last season.
He ranked 48th in the division for goals + assists - penalties per 90 and shared exactly the same average as Ferran Torres, who has since moved to Manchester City from Valencia.
On a deeper level, he also placed 54th for shots per 90 but ninth for key passes per 90 - with a key pass defined as a pass that leads directly to a shot - after benefiting slightly from taking some of Sociedad's set-pieces.
Based on the evidence so far, it is reasonable to suggest that Odegaard is more of a creator than a scorer, and once delving into his ball progression numbers, he shows up as quite capable when required to move his team from A to B.
The Madrid talent completed 73 passes into the penalty box last season, which ranked him behind only Lionel Messi on 126 and Jesus Navas on 105.
Moreover, only seven players played more progressive passes than him, with those defined as completed passes that move the ball towards the opponent's goal at least 10 yards from its furthest point in the last six passes or completed passes into the penalty area.
He is equally forward-thinking when no passing options are available, as only three players in the league showcased more progressive carries than Odegaard last season, and he also placed fourth for carries into the final third, and 33rd for carries into the box.
So what type of player are the Gunners about to sign?
Odegaard assumes the mould of a versatile offensive player who compensates his lack of scoring by creating a considerable amount in attack for his teammates, while also assisting greatly with his team's ability to advance up the field towards the business end of the pitch.
It is relevant that Arsenal have encountered various offensive problems this season, specifically in relation to generating shots; Arteta's men currently rank ninth in England's top-flight for shots per match behind West Ham, Wolves and Aston Villa.
If the 38 year-old Spaniard wants to continue transforming Arsenal into a truly dominant and offensive outfit, he will need more players in the form of Odegaard who are naturally inclined to forge openings and speed up the game when on the ball.
He is almost certain to give the north London side a valuable boost.
