Amidst interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal have taken a firm stance on keeping star player and captain, Martin Odegaard.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Leandro Trossard after scoring the team's second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on May 02, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 02: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Leandro Trossard after scoring the team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on May 02, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
  • Arsenal have affirmed their intention not to sell captain Martin Odegaard amidst interest from Paris Saint-Germain.
  • Odegaard had an outstanding season as Gunners captain, contributing significantly to the team’s league title charge.
  • Despite the remaining two years in his contract, Arsenal plan to offer Odegaard a new deal, with the player reported to have a positive relationship with manager Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal, as expected, have taken a definitive stand amidst the interest from Paris Saint-Germain in their captain Martin Odegaard.

They have unequivocally ruled out any intention of selling the Norwegian playmaker.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal drinks a bottle of water prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 14: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal drinks a bottle of water prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 14, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Despite the allure of the Parisian club and the lucrative potential that their interest might present, Arsenal are reportedly planning to rebuff any offers that might come their way over the summer, which should surprise no-one.

Arteta clearly sees Odegaard as a key figure in their future plans.

Initially joining the club on loan from Real Madrid, Odegaard quickly proved his worth on the pitch, scoring two goals and providing two assists in 20 appearances.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on May 07, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MAY 07: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on May 07, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

His compelling performance prompted Arsenal to sign him permanently for £30.1 million, which now seems like an absolute ‘bargain’.

His first full season at the Emirates was a stellar one. Given the captain’s armband following Alexandre Lacazette’s departure, Odegaard rose to the challenge and quickly established himself as a leader on and off the field.

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0BWSKMFCJ&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=GB&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=leahurwriandg 21&language=en GB
Set Of 4 Arsenal Signed A4 Mounted Photo Prints – Pre Printed Autograph – Ready To Be Framed – Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard & Gabriel Martinelli

ir?t=leahurwriandg 21&language=en GB&l=li3&o=2&a=B0BWSKMFCJHe emerged as Arsenal’s top scorer alongside Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, netting 15 Premier League goals and providing eight assists.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's first goal with teammate Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on May 07, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MAY 07: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal with teammate Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on May 07, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Despite Arsenal falling short of the title, Odegaard’s performances did not go unnoticed. His brilliant season earned him the accolade of Men’s Player of the Year at the London Football Awards.

Rumours abound that the Norwegian is set to receive a pay upgrade at the Emirates, as a testament to his importance to the team.

His current contract with Arsenal extends for two more years, with an additional option until 2026.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's third goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on March 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 12: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team’s third goal with teammates during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on March 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Yet, Paris Saint-Germain have been rumoured to be considering making a tempting offer for the player in the summer transfer window.

Despite these rumours, Arsenal remain steadfast in their stand that Odegaard is not for sale under any circumstances this summer. The club is preparing to enter into contract negotiations with its captain in the near future, further cementing their belief in his role in Arsenal’s future.

Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammates during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on November 12, 2022. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on November 12, 2022. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

The player reportedly has an “excellent” relationship with manager Mikel Arteta and is keen to continue at Arsenal, despite the team’s failure to secure the title this season. The Norwegian is happy in North London and looks forward to contributing further to the club’s success in the upcoming seasons.

The Arsenal star has made it clear that his focus is firmly on Arsenal, planning to stay in the UK for the first part of his summer vacation before returning to Norway to visit his family.

Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard applauds the fans following the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 31, 2022. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard applauds the fans following the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 31, 2022. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

It’s clear that Arsenal view Odegaard as a pivotal figure in their long-term plans, with the club eager to secure his future in North London, regardless of interest from afar.

Despite the allure of PSG, thankfully, the story of Odegaard’s journey with Arsenal is far from over.