Martin Odegaard was one of Mikel Arteta’s first big signings at Arsenal.
The Norway international joined the Gunners initially on loan in January 2021. After a successful six-month spell, a deal was struck with Real Madrid for a permanent transfer.
Odegaard has since been a key part of the Arsenal squad, and Arteta has now revealed how his signing was decided by one phone call.
Who are you choosing: Prime Cesc Fabregas vs current Martin Odegaard? 🤔
Mikel Arteta explains the phone call that led to Arsenal signing Martin Odegaard
Arsenal were in need of a creative spark in January 2021, and they were linked with a number of different names.
Martin Odegaard was the most exciting of them all, but there were doubts over whether a move would be possible, as other clubs were interested in his services too.
To see what the player’s thoughts were, Mikel Arteta decided to call the Norwegian, and after just a few moments, he was convinced that Odegaard wanted to come.
The Arsenal manager has revealed that right after his call with the midfielder, he phoned Edu Gaspar, who was the sporting director at the time, and told him to get it done.
Arteta said in Odegaard’s documentary that has been released on The Arsenal App: “We had a Zoom call. The first impression, straight away, was that he was someone very transparent, someone really, really polite.
“And straightaway, he showed that he really wanted to join the club, very keen to move and start a new journey with us. I had a very positive feeling.
“I hung up the call and I called Edu and said: “Let’s go for it! I think he is the kind of player and kind of person we need now.”
“I think it was a great decision from the club to bring him to us.”
Finish the sentence: Edu Gaspar’s time at Arsenal was a _____________________
Martin Odegaard has been brilliant for Arsenal but his future is unclear
Arteta is right; it was a great decision by the Arsenal board to sign Odegaard, first on loan and then on a permanent deal.
The midfielder has mostly been brilliant for the Gunners, but his future is up in the air.
Arsenal need to make a big sale in the summer, and Odegaard, who will have just two years left on his contract in July, will be among the candidates to be sold.
After a season filled with injuries, there is a chance that Andrea Berta will cash in on Odegaard if a good enough offer arrives.
However, before that can happen, there is an even bigger chance of the Arsenal captain lifting the Premier League title. That would be magnificent.
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