Arteta: “I’m very happy with Odegaard”

It hasn’t been an easy 2020-2021 season for Real Madrid playmaker Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian talent was one of the best players in La Liga a year ago and Real Madrid decided to bring him back last summer, with fans and analysts expecting a relevant role for him in the current squad.

Odegaard struggled and decided to join Arsenal on a loan deal during the winter transfer market, where he has regained some of his form and confidence. Coach Mikel Arteta praised the young player during a press conference this Wednesday.

“I’m very happy with him, I think he settled very quickly within the team, doing what we demand the players to do. His attitude, his behavior and his work have been phenomenal. He had better moments than others during games to give us the special qualities that he has but overall I am really happy,” said Arteta.

Some reports suggest that Arsenal would be interested in keeping Odegaard past next summer and that could be a possibility if coach Zinedine Zidane —or his replacement— doesn’t think he is ready to make an impact for Real Madrid just yet. Odegaard is under contract until 2023, so Madrid would have the last call about his future.