The attacking midfielder, who has been on loan multiple times, is content in north London.
In January, Martin Odegaard’s football career took a big turn. He entered into a contract with Real Madrid when he was 15 years old. For the fourth time since 2015, he was loaned out to Arsenal in 2021. After Tuesday’s fractious 0-0 draw, Odegaard, 24, is leading a young, vivacious Arsenal team that has scored 12 goals this season—one more than last year—and is eight points ahead of third-place Newcastle.
The occupants of north London had never lost their homes before this. In addition, this marks the first time this season that they have failed to score in any of their rivalries and the second time in their last 11 games that they have failed to win. Weapons store chief Mikel Arteta stated that he was “pleased with this group” despite his fury over the absence of two “outrageous punishments.” If you can’t win, you can’t lose.
Opta stated prior to the game that Odegaard was also the most involved in Arsenal’s attacking sequences. However, he missed early, which may have altered that. Before Newcastle, Odegaard had 32 shots, 25 created chances, and 28 buildups to shots.
But when he arrived, London was a long way from where it is now. Real bought the Norwegian child star for 2.3 million pounds. He appeared to struggle to keep his initial promise, just like Freddy Adu, Adnan Januzaj, Javier Portillo, Alipio Duarte, and Nii Lamptey. Because he was so good at Stromsgodset, Odegaard started regularly playing with older players when he was 11 years old. Before Real beat everyone, he was so good that top clubs came to the quiet Norwegian city of Drammen. He made his La Liga debut for them 676 days after signing with them. That took place at Cop del Rey. He was loaned to London after playing 81 minutes for Real in December and January.
Prior to Arsenal’s purchase of Odegaard in August 2021 for five years and thirty million pounds, he had played for Vitesse, Real Sociedad, and Heerenveen. The attacking midfielder showed off his skills there. Before being sent back to Madrid, Odegaard was probably the best player in La Liga (31 games, 4 goals, and a goal against Real in the Copa del Rey). This occurred prior to the 2020 Covid football ban. He was, however, back in Genuine’s chair.
Luka Modric, Zinedine Zidane, and Jorge Valdano, the World Cup-winning past senior boss of Authentic Madrid, all affirmed that he was unique. ” “He can clarify everything with a threaded pass, dribble, and shoot from mid-range,” claims Valdano.
In contrast, Valdano believed that the Real possessed “too many resources.” One of them was Modric, who imitated his World Cup experience and could have played Odegaard’s position and played like he could last. According to Valdano, it would be best for Odegaard to wait until some of the more talented players are gone. After six years and eight games, Odegaard wanted to leave. He wanted to go somewhere where he could play. At the turn of the century, Thierry Henry would regain his groove at a club.
When Arteta was reorganizing a club that appeared to be lost under Wenger, he accepted Arteta on loan due to his off-the-ball skills and insight. “I think he can decide big football matches,” Arteta said in 2021.
Several factors have contributed to Arsenal’s success this season: putting the majority of the players in the opposing half, starting the game more quickly, and other things being able to match the intensity of rival teams when they increased their own. This has largely been Odegaard’s responsibility. He gets through the center, which opens up more space for the advances to move. Moreover, he is critical to the Weapons reserve press.
In addition to his “attitude,” “rhythm,” and “the way he presses and puts people under pressure,” Arteta has stated that he “takes the ball in moments others probably refuse to.”
Arteta had praised Odegaard’s application and eagerness to learn, despite noting that Odegaard’s intersection and passing could be improved. When those fixings are present, beneficial events frequently take place. Because he is defining games and being a different kind of presence on the field, I really like what he is doing.
For more than a decade, captaincy has been a curse at Arsenal. Cesc Fabregas, Laurent Koscielny, and Robin van Persie all left in the wake of getting the armband; After their actions, Arteta and Per Mertesacker played almost nothing, leaving Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Granit Xhaka without it. Additionally, this was altered by Odegaard.