‘He’s always doing the right things’: Arteta wowed by Arsenal 23-year-old who ‘wants to improve’

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has waxed lyrical about Gunners captain Martin Odegaard, in conversation with the club website.

The 23-year-old has made a huge impact at the Emirates Stadium since his initial loan move in January 2021.

Arsenal subsequently snapped the Norway captain up from Real Madrid that summer for a reported £34million.

Odegaard has played 68 games for the Gunners and established himself as one of their most consistent players.

His goal contribution tally has been impressive too, with 12 goals and seven assists to his name in red and white.

Arsenal made Odegaard captain this summer, which proved a masterstroke.

He has helped the team go top of the Premier League table after eight games, scoring three goals along the way.

On Thursday, Arsenal host Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League.

Speaking at his pre-match presser, Arteta elaborated on Odegaard’s leadership role in the team.

“I think that when he talks everybody listens to him, which is a really important quality,” said the Arsenal boss.

“It’s true that he’s not the loudest probably, but he’s someone that leads with example every single day and he’s always doing the right things. 

“He’s really humble, he’s trying to help everybody, he puts the team in front of him and he has huge love and passion for this game, which I really like, and he wants to improve.

“He wants to drive these boys as quick and as fast as possible and we believe that he’s the right person to represent the values that we have at the club.”

TBR View

Odegaard joining Arsenal was a great call for both player and club.

The midfielder was struggling for game time at Real Madrid and spent a lot of time out on loan.

Likewise, the Gunners weren’t in a great place – while they were winning FA Cups, they looked well off being a title contender.

Now, Odegaard is not only a first-team regular at Arsenal but has become their captain, at just 23.

And the Gunners are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table, dreaming of one of their best seasons in years.