Martin Odegaard made his full Arsenal debut against Leeds yesterday, and played a key role in our 4-2 victory.
The Norwegian moved to North London in January on loan from Real Madrid, and is currently expected to return to the Spanish capital come the end of the season.
Odegaard had picked up two substitute appearances prior to the weekend, making little impression in the minor minutes he had received, but made much more of an impact in his first start, and could well be in line to feature more heavily in the coming matches.
Odegaard arrived at Real Madrid with quite the following after he set the Norwegian top division alight at the age of 15 years-old, but hasn’t had the desired impact for his parent club as of yet.
The 22 year-old now finds himself lining up alongside younger players in Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, with his younger compatriots having already made their mark on the first-team, and Odegaard believes he is settling in nicely, and claims he is ‘proud’ to have joined the club.
“It’s a bit different but I think I am adapting pretty okay,” he said.
“The way they took me into the team – my teammates – and how they treated me, as well as the manager and everyone in the club, they helped me since the first minute.
“I feel really comfortable and a part of the team, so it’s been easy to come in to this team because of the way they are and the way they treated me. I’m just really happy to be here and I’m proud to be a part of this team.”
Has Odegaard given Mikel Arteta a welcome selection head-ache ahead of two big games with Benfica and Man City coming up this week?
Patrick
He is a joy to watch, that is for sure. His one touch passing is sublime, and he links up well with Saka and ESR. I like the fact that he is always looking to get forward and attack, trying to push the ball into the attacking third.
He seems to fit in well, but he needs more games to truly judge any performances.
The biggest negative for me is that he isn’t our player, only here on loan. Aside from ESR, we don’t have a midfielder that offers what he does with the ball. His vision, touch, and link up is great for someone his age.
Durand, summed up perfectly.
I get so frustrated when it seems we are looked upon as a club that helps the “big boys” mature their players.
Where did all that money from CL, top four and FA cup wins go?
Got a feeling this guy is the real deal, much more so than I had with Ceballos – let’s hope he falls in love with the club!!!
Martin Odegaard has not “had the desired impact on his parent club” yet, because Real Madrid, and Zidane in particular, do not give him playing opportunities. Zidane is loyal to his aging midfield, remembering that Isco is also on the bench.
There is an opportunity should Odegaard perform anywhere near his potential, find success and enjoy his stay at the Emirates, that he may request a transfer. Real Madrid have apparently (like most clubs) been hit hard by the pandemic and will need to sell players to buy the ready made stars they crave. Being Norwegian, Odegaard may not see returning to Spain, as “the be all and end all” that Danny Ceballos does.
Thus rather than seeing this as Arsenal “helping the big boys in maturing their players, it should be seen as an opportunity to indoctrinate a great prospect into the Arsenal Club and “process”, such that Martin Odegaard sees his future in the red and white of the Arsenal.
Hell of a debut, long may it continue 👌👌