Martin Odegaard On His Future: Stability And Development Key To My Decision

Martin Odegaard has laid out what will influence his decision this summer…

Arsenal loanee Martin Odegaard has insisted that the decision on his long-term future will only come this summer once the campaign is over, but made it clear that his stability and development will be at the forefront of his mind, Verdens Gang reports.

The 22-year-old has burst into life in recent weeks following his January loan move to north London and is already one of the first names on Mikel Arteta’s team sheet.

His importance was further highlighted in Sunday’s thrilling 3-3 draw at West Ham, with the Norwegian playing a key role in all three goals and leading our comeback.

Creating chances and sustaining attacks was something we struggled with in the early part of the season, but since the turn of the year, a lack of creativity is a thing of the past.

Granted, Arteta’s shift to a back-four and the emergence of Emile Smith Rowe have played a part in our revival in that department, but Odegaard’s arrival has taken us to a new level.

His impact has Arsenal fans praying we can find a way to keep him at the club beyond June, whether that’s through another loan deal or a permanent transfer.

“Haven’t thought about what’ll happen in summer,” the Norwegian skipper told VG.

“Deal with Arsenal is until the end of the season. We’ll see what happens this summer. I’ve said things before that I still stand for: Stability and development are keywords.”

Contractually, there is no option to buy included in Odegaard’s loan deal, though Fabrizio Romano has repeatedly reported that Arsenal and Real Madrid will discuss the midfielder’s future in the summer.

Arsenal are “so happy” with Martin Ødegaard impact on the pitch as during trainings, they will try to keep him. Arsenal will talk with Real Madrid at the end of the season, Zinedine Zidane’s future will be key to take a final decision about Ødegaard. 🇳🇴 #RealMadrid #AFC

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 22, 2021

Odegaard represents everything we’ve been lacking in the final third in the last few years following the departures of Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla coupled with the decline of Mesut Ozil.

Players who’re comfortable receiving the ball in tight spaces and aren’t flustered by opponents pressing them are crucial to the football Arteta aims to install at the club.

Having said that, Odegaard is one player and whether or not he stays beyond June, we’ll need a few players of that ilk if we’re to propel ourselves as a creative force once again.