Mikel Arteta Excited To See Odegaard’s Rapid Growth

Mikel Arteta is delighted by the performances of Martin Odegaard.

Since coming into Arsenal in January, the Norwegian midfielder has gone from strength to strength.

He scored in his last two fixtures against Olympiakos, both of them of utmost importance to the Gunners eventually winning. Odegaard’s energy, creativity and dedication has really warmed fans up to him, many of whom are calling for his permanent signing in the summer.

Arteta said, “That was our feeling. But you never know. You have to see him in action, you have to see his character a little bit closer, on a daily basis. I think everybody has been really impressed with how quickly he has adapted.

“Professionally, how he is and how willing he has been since day one to try to engage with everybody at Colney and then also with the performances that he’s putting in as well.

“He is getting better and better. I think his understanding of what we want is excellent. His work rate has been phenomenal and then he’s doing something that, in my opinion, could improve a lot which is getting in the opponents’ box and maybe being more decisive in the scoreline.

“He is doing that with the two goals and he’s had some really important entries into the zones and he looks all the time really dangerous. If he adds that to his game, he becomes a real complete player.”