Mikel Arteta says he’s optimistic that Arsenal will tie down Martin Odegaard to a new contract.
The Norway international is thought to be on the verge of agreeing to lucrative new terms that will see him extend his stay at Emirates Stadium beyond his current contract which ends in 2025.
Signed from Real Madrid after a promising six-month loan spell, the 24-year-old has become the fulcrum of Arsenal’s attacking play under Arteta who also elevated the player to club captain.
“He’s our captain, he’s a massive player for us and a really important player for us now and for the future,” said Arteta in his pre-Everton press conference.
“We’re extremely happy to have him and we want to keep him here for a long time.
“I’m always optimistic [in contract talks] and we have a really good relation with him, with his agent.
“We are really close to them and whenever that’s confirmed we will announce it.”
Last week, France Football revealed that Odegaard and Bukayo Saka had been shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or following a year of eye-catching performances for the Gunners.
Yesterday, new signing Declan Rice had his moment in the spotlight with inclusion on FIFA’s 12-man list for The Best Men’s Player award.
Rice is nominated after helping West Ham to UEFA Conference League glory and for his efforts in midfield for England. Judging by his start to life at Emirates Stadium, he’s making light work of the £100 million price tag Arsenal paid.
Asked about Rice’s first few months at the club, Arteta said: “Obviously you always hope that that transition is going to be smooth and fast but then sometimes the reality is very different.
“In his case I think he’s been really positive. I think he’s finding it really easy. He understood the team, our way of playing really, really fast and I think it’s going well for him.”
Sign da ting Marty!
I’m so fucking bored.
Can we please play Everton tonight?
This interlull has taken at least six months. I’ve had to listen to people talking about Harry fucking Maguire all week, just to get a pseudo football hit.
I guarantee suicide rates are higher during international breaks. I’ve never wanted to see that gravelly ginger bastard in a dugout as much in all my life.
Signs you have an unhealthy addiction:
* listening to people talking about Harry Maguire constitutes a “hit” for you
* Pausing the thing you need that hit of makes you talk about suicide rates
* you want to see gravelly ginger bastards in dugouts
Recommended remedies:
Getting a hobby. Martin Odegaard doesn’t have any but that doesn’t mean you can’t.
Wanting to see Sean Douche in the dugout is definitely not a good sign
Thankfully Mcguire made the interlull less boring.
I suggest you start making Football compilations. If others watch, good. Otherwise, at least you’d have fun.
I pass my break time watching those.
I second Ebo. You can get a hobby as a hat collector. Instead of 4 you can have 10! You can be Johnny 10 ha(ag)ts
No one is going to talk about the price paid for Declan Rice for long. I remember the mockery about how much Guardiola paid for Kyle Walker. Does anyone today think that was too much?
Saka, Odegaard, Saliba, and Rice will all be–if they are not already–one of the half-dozen best players in the world at their position.
Add Martinelli and Zinny to that list, please.
And they already all are.
Martin’s contract news is basically no news, 2 years left with an l extra1 optional year, only the lazy football press could make an issue out of a nothing story, he is getting on with his football and every thing else will take care of itself. Declans start for us this season has been exceptional, he commands his position, composed when under pressure, physically a big presence to unerve opposition, plays the ball with calmness, what i would like for him is to have a settled partner.
By point of comparison as to record signings, here are Man United’s top six signings in order: Paul Pogba, Antony, Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho, Romelu Lukaku, Angel Di Maria.
m·············@virginmedia.com
What can you say this but LOLOLOLOLOL! Can’t imagine Maguires mum reads Arseblog news, but if she did ….
Hahaha
Fred for 50 million
Martial for 50 million
Eric bailey for 40 million
It is their Academy that is somewhat keeping them afloat
And even then they are new at Chelsea levels of debt. More than that, were any of their big money signings a success