Meet Arsenal’s new creative maestro- Martin Odegaard
The Norway international joins Mikel Arteta’s side in a loan deal until the end of the season.
After weeks of speculation, Arsenal has finally signed Martin Odegaard on a short-term loan deal from Real Madrid. With the departure of Mesut Ozil and Emile Smith Rowe still finding his feet in the Premier League, the 22-year-old will help take the creative burden off Smith Rowe’s shoulders.
Our newest Gunner! 😄🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/tYc9w0g6N3
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 27, 2021
Odegaard felt he needed to leave the Spanish giants after he was severely lacking playing time with only seven matches and never completed a full 90 for Real.
Real Sociedad, the club Odegaard was loaned to last season were reportedly interesting in having him back, however, once Arsenal signaled their interest, he was ever only going to go to one place.
Day 1 💪 pic.twitter.com/e6eniJvDYO
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 27, 2021
Speaking to Arsenal’s official website, Odegaard revealed that boss Mikel Arteta was a key factor in him choosing the Emirates.
“I spoke to him before coming here, of course. That was very important for me and he seems like a top manager and I liked his ideas, the way he sees football and also the way he is.
“He gave me a great feeling and that was important for me to come here. He was crucial.
“I think every time you go to a new place, you want to make sure that it feels good and that there is a plan. But I think everything here just seems good.
“I like the club and I always liked the way that the club wants to play. Everything about the club and now how the manager wants to play, I think it’s a club that really suits me well. So I think it’s a good match.”
The creative midfielder will wear the No.11 shirt for the Gunners, and it has been worn by some very famous players. The likes of Marc Overmars, Mesut Ozil before he changed to the No.10, and of course Robin van Persie.
Say hello to our new No 11 👋😃 pic.twitter.com/uKZK1lq1WP
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 27, 2021
Odegaard could likely be in contention to make his first appearance for Arsenal when they host Manchester United on Sunday, however, it remains unlikely that he will be handed a start. Much of that will depend on the midfielder’s fitness as he will only have had a handful of training sessions with his new team.
Odegaard can also be included in the Gunners Europa League squad as he is eligible. Arsenal will take on Benfica in February.
The signing of Martin Odegaard will help ease the pressure on Emile Smith Rowe and will provide cover for the 20-year-old. With both Nicolas Pepe and Willian severely underwhelming in the first half of the season, Mikel Arteta is hopeful that Odegaard will give his side an extra something in the final third as he can play in a variety of positions.
With Matt Ryan coming in from Brighton and now Odegaard from Real Madrid, it still looks like Arsenal could add more players to their squad before the deadline.
