Orlando Pirates’ new signing Patrick Maswanganyi has revealed the Arsenal star he emulates his game around.
Patrick Maswanganyi recently joined Pirates from Gauteng rivals SuperSport United ahead of the new season.
The 25-year-old is part of the Soweto giants’ pre-season camp in Spain, where he has impressed so far.
He scored in back-to-back games in Pirates’ first two matches of their tour to Spain.Patrick Maswanganyi won as Bucs beat Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 last Thursday.
On Saturday, the attacker found the back of the net in the second preseason friendly against Ecuador’s Independiente Del Valle. Pirates won the game 3-1.
In his first interview since joining Pirates, Maswanganyi named Arsenal midfielder Martin Ødegaard as one of the players he models his game around.
MASWANGWANYI ON ODEGAARD’S GAME
“I really enjoy watching Martin Ødegaard, who plays for Arsenal; I think he plays really well,” said Maswanganyi.
“Most of the time, I try to emulate his style, particularly how he is able to find space in the pockets and how he turns and positions himself. I really admire his style of play.”
In addition, Maswanganyi explained what it means for him to play for a team of Pirates’ stature.
“Playing for the team means a lot. Orlando Pirates is not just any club. It is not only big in the country but also in the continent,” he added.
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“The team has a rich history, and I also want to be a part of that history by assisting the club win more trophies. I want to score goals for the team, more so because I have not scored any goal since I started playing in the DStv Premiership.”
At SuperSport last season,Patrick Maswanganyi featured in 22 league games and only managed to provide four assists.
The left-winger is a former SA U20 international and had a stint abroad at U.D. Oliveirense in Portugal’s second division.