Odegaard declares 'I'm happy and hope I can stay there for a long time to come'
Martin Odegaard has moved to settle talk over his long term future at Arsenal, declaring his desire to remain at the club for years to come despite having just 18 months left on his current deal.
Speaking to Norwegian reporters while away on international duty, the Arsenal captain was asked directly about his contract situation. His response was unambiguous.
The Friday Injury Tracker
Who's out, who's back and what it means for the next two games.
“I'm happy and hope I can stay there [at Arsenal] for a long time to come, but we haven't started on that yet,” Odegaard said.
The 27 year old's current deal at the Emirates runs until June 2028, meaning there is no immediate urgency from the club's perspective, but the timing of his comments will still reassure a fanbase that has occasionally wondered about his long term role under Mikel Arteta.
Fighting off the competition
Arsenal have invested heavily in midfield reinforcements over recent transfer windows, with Eberechi Eze, Mikel Merino and Bruno Guimaraes all arriving to compete for places in Arteta's 4-3-3. Much of that spending has specifically targeted the advanced No8 role that Odegaard has made his own since taking the captaincy.
Despite that competition, and despite niggling injuries last season that led some to question whether his body could hold up to the demands of Arteta's system, Odegaard has remained first choice. He has started all 10 of Arsenal's Premier League matches this season, contributing three goals along the way.
The most recent came against Hull City, where Odegaard pounced on a rebound to break the deadlock after 72 minutes of stubborn resistance from the visitors. That winner moved Arsenal five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
What comes next
Odegaard's leadership and consistency have made him one of the most important figures in Arteta's project, and his willingness to publicly commit to the club, even in vague terms, will be welcomed given the money spent elsewhere in midfield.
Formal contract negotiations do not appear to have begun yet, by his own admission, but there is clearly no indication from the player's side that he is looking elsewhere.
Arsenal's focus now turns to the fixtures awaiting Odegaard and his teammates once international duty concludes. The Gunners travel to Newcastle, managed by Matthias Jaissle, before hosting Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League at the Emirates Stadium.
With Arsenal sitting five points clear at the top of the Premier League and Odegaard reaffirming his commitment, the captain's long term future in north London looks, for now, secure.
Source: Evening Standard
