Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal ace who does what others would 'probably refuse' to do

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has waxed lyrical about Gunners ace Martin Odegaard.

The Norway captain has impressed since joining the Gunners permanently in the summer transfer window.

According to Sky Sports, Odegaard joined Arsenal for an initial £30million plus bonuses worth around £4million.

Even during Arsenal’s lowest point of the season, the 5-0 thumping at the Etihad, the 22-year-old was arguably his side’s best player.

And against Norwich and Burnley, Odegaard looked impressive, scoring the winner in the latter match last weekend.

He curled over the wall and into the back of the net after Ashley Westwood had clipped Bukayo Saka on the edge of the box.

In addition, Odegaard boasted a pass accuracy of 87 percent, made two key passes, and won three of his four ground duels.

Ahead of Arsenal’s League Cup third-round meeting with Wimbledon, Arteta spoke about leadership in the team.

“I think we are building some leadership in the group,” football.london quotes him as saying at his pre-match press conference.

“It’s a really young group, with a lot of players under 23.

“Martin is the captain of the national team and Sambi was the captain at Anderlecht.

“Martin has this capacity to do that with his talent, taking the ball in moments where others probably refuse to.

“But as well with his attitude, his rhythm and the way he presses and puts people under pressure.

“He’s probably the first to do it [those defensive responsibilities].”

Odegaard was “always” the priority for Arsenal

The former Real Madrid ace shone on loan at Arsenal in the second half of last season, but it was touch and go whether he’d join the Gunners again.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Arsenal board spent three months working to re-sign the 22-year-old since he originally the club in May.

It was considered “almost impossible” in June and July, then Real decided to sell him in August and Arsenal were “ready”, added the Italian.

“He’s always been the priority – and not Maddison,” Romano concluded.