Martin Odegaard reveals how Mikel Arteta convinced him to sign for Arsenal | Football
Martin Odegaard has revealed how Mikel Arteta convinced him to be part of Arsenal’s revolution.
The 24-year-old, who was made Arsenal’s permanent captain last summer, has played a key role in the Gunners’ success since his arrival from Real Madrid.
Odegaard initially joined on a loan deal in January 2021 before Arsenal made the move permanent for £30m plus bonuses the following summer.
And the Norway international has made it clear that Arteta’s clear plan for Arsenal’s progression played a key role in his decision to make the move to the Premier League.
‘I spoke to Mikel Arteta on a Zoom call and he told me all about the project,’ Odegaard wrote in The Players’ Tribune.
‘At the time, Arsenal were not doing well. They were way down like 15th in the table, but that meeting… Honestly, I challenge anyone to come away from a meeting with Arteta and not believe everything he tells you.
‘He is next level. It’s hard to explain. He’s passionate, he’s intense and sometimes, yeah, he’s a bit crazy… but when he speaks, you understand that whatever he says will happen, will happen.
‘He told me his plan, everything he was building towards. He knew exactly what needed to change at the club.
‘He told me all about these amazing young players in the squad – Saka, Martinelli, Smith Rowe, etc etc. He told me how he wanted me to fit in and how I was going to improve.
‘I got this strong feeling that he was onto something really special.’
Arsenal currently five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and Odegaard is adamant that the Gunners can win the title this season.
‘We’re in the title race now, but there’s a long way to go and, trust me, no one is thinking about May yet,’ Odegaard wrote.
‘It’s a cliché but we are taking it game by game, training session by training session. One piece at a time.
‘I will say this, though, if there’s anyone left who still doesn’t fully believe in this team, take it from me: there are no limits on what we can achieve. No one can tell me otherwise.’
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