Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been instrumental in helping foster a good environment among the players at the club, and he has now spoken about his relationships with the rest of the squad.
The midfielder took the armband when Alexandre Lacazette departed the club, and Arsenal’s dressing room appears to be a lot more united than it was at the start of Mikel Arteta’s reign.
He has now revealed which player he is closest with in the squad, and the answer comes as a surprise, given that the player in question is far from a first team regular.
Martin Odegaard praises the Arsenal squad
Speaking to Arsenal club media, Odegaard praised the atmosphere within the Arsenal squad, and named Mohamed Elneny as the player he is closest with.
“I would say I’m quite close to most of the players,” Odegaard stated.
“Maybe Mo Elneny I would say is one of my closer friends in the team, but it’s hard to say just one, because it’s a really good group here now.
“I connect well with all of them basically, there is a good atmosphere in the dressing room with all the players and the staff too.
Elneny’s character
Despite hardly being in contention for a first-team spot, Elneny is a popular player at the Emirates, and the rest of the squad are clearly happy to have him around.
Elneny is Arsenal’s longest-serving player, having joined in January 2016, and recently came back from injury against Brentford in the Carabao Cup.
The 31-year-old will likely depart at the end of the season, but whilst he is unlikely to feature much, he can play a big role as a squad leader and an occasional substitute, and his energy when called upon makes him valuable to Mikel Arteta.
Odegaard’s bond with Elneny may be a surprising one, but it is a wholesome one.
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