Arteta: Permanent Odegaard deal ‘down to two things’

Will Ford
Odegaard Arsenal

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says a permanent move for Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard will be “down to two things”.

The playmaker has joined the Gunners on loan for the rest of the season following Mesut Ozil’s move to Fenerbahce.


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The 22-year-old has found his opportunities limited under Zinedine Zidane after a successful stint with Real Socieded last season.

Speaking on Thursday, Arteta said: “He certainly has all the qualities and characteristics that we are looking for for that position.

“Then it will be down to two things.

“First of all, how well he adapts here and how much of an impact he can have in our team.

“Secondly, what Real Madrid and the player think about it because he’s owned by Real Madrid and the player has a big say in that too.”

“He’s a player that we followed for some time and we believe that he’s got some special qualities that we need, that we have been missing.

“Now we have to give him a little bit of time.

“He hasn’t played that many minutes in Madrid but he’s been training hard and he looks so excited, as we are, to have another big talent at our club.

“He’s a specialist to play in the pockets, to play in the No 8 or 10 positions. He can play off the sides. He’s a really creative player who’s really comfortable on the ball in tight spaces.

“He has the capacity to create chances and to score goals.

“Something that he has improved a lot is his work-rate without the ball as well, so it’s another option to give us more creativity for sure in the final third, and give us more options to set up in different ways against certain teams.”