Martin Odegaard has been speaking to the press, delivering his verdict on Arsenal and talking about the madness of signing for Real Madrid.

Arsenal deals: Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (L) gets instructions from Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) as he comes on as a substitute during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 30, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP)
Arsenal deals: Arsenal’s Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (L) gets instructions from Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (R) as he comes on as a substitute during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 30, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP)

Martin Odegaard believes Arsenal is a club in ‘process’ but he has tipped Mikel Arteta to get the club back to the top ‘very soon’ and he’s happy to be a part of it.

Despite only being 22, Martin Odegaard has played for Real Madrid, Arsenal, Real Sociedad, Vitesse, and Heerenveen since leaving Norway. It’s safe to say he knows a bit about what he’s talking about.

Although his future is still very much up for debate, the midfielder seems to like what he’s seen so far at Arsenal.

“He [Mikel Arteta] is a first-rate coach, really smart,” he said. “There are so many things to learn from him, so I am happy to be here.

“I think the club is in process now where things have changed a bit but, from what I am seeing here and what I have experienced, I am sure that the club will return to the top very soon.”

Odegaard also spoke about what it was like to arrive at Real Madrid after signing for them at such a young age.

“That moment was a bit crazy, to be honest,” he said. “I didn’t realise it because I was very young.

“When you have Real Madrid behind you, there will always be high expectations. To be honest, my expectations of myself have always been higher than those of the outside.

“The most difficult thing is to please myself, not others.”

Real Madrid Zidane decision helps Arsenal as Odegaard seeks meeting

Martin Odegaard wants to hold a one-on-one meeting with Zinedine Zidane about his future before making any decisions this summer.

Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard comes on as a substitute during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 30, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP)
Arsenal’s Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard comes on as a substitute during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 30, 2021. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP)

 

DefensaCentral report that Martin Odegaard wants to hold a face-to-face meeting with Zinedine Zidane to decide his future. He hasn’t ruled out returning to Arsenal, possibly on loan again, so he wants to establish what his role would be at Real Madrid.

Real aren’t considering selling the 22-year-old, though another loan move isn’t completely off the table.

Their number-one option is for Odegaard to remain in Madrid next season. But Zidane’s continuing presence as manager benefits Arsenal more than it does Real.

It’s clear the French coach doesn’t have the strongest relationship with Odegaard, and didn’t trust him to give him regular minutes this season.

As a result, reports from ABC that the club plan to keep Zidane on for another season boost Arsenal’s chances of getting Odegaard back.

Arsenal have achieved positive team results since bringing Odegaard into the side. In his four starts so far they’ve won two, drawn one, and lost one to Manchester City. They also comfortably beat Leicester City in his 48-minute appearance on Sunday.

The midfielder is likely to make further starts in the coming weeks, particularly with Emile Smith Rowe’s latest injury.

If he impresses, it’s only going to draw further attention from both the Arsenal and Real Madrid hierarchies.

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