He arrived at just 16 years old and left Valdebebas after failing to settle in the first team. Before, several assignments in which he demonstrated his talent with that special O crossed out on his back. Martin Odegaard was one of the young talents that Real Madrid fished from Norway and he was ‘cooking’ over low heat until today he became international and a new star of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal after not curdling in the white team.
After his outstanding assignment at Real Sociedad, Martin returned to Madrid, but did not find his place. That winter Arsenal appeared and a connection emerged. What began with a few months on loan was confirmed in a signing for which the Gunners paid 35 million euros to Real Madrid, which at the time invested almost three in the promising youth.
From the ‘red’ part of London, Martin Odegaard gave an interview to Viaplayfootball to talk about his departure from Real Madrid and how he is at Arsenal.
“I’ve been through a lot despite being young, and now I’m in this fantastic team, full of young players. We are a team that is growing to return to the top. I feel like we are on the way to achieving it. We are hungry. It feels good to be here and to think that what we do is very good, “said the Norwegian. Arteta, as a young coach, is the leader of a project that seeks precisely that: to fish for talent at an early age to re-create a champion team.
Uploaded to this project as one of its best exponents, Martin also explained why he chose precisely the London club when he decided to leave Real Madrid. “Happy at Arsenal? Very happy! I feel like it was the right decision when things were the way they were at Madrid. I signed when I was 16 and now was the right time to look forward. I thought this was the perfect club for me, “he added.
This season, Martin Odegaard is one of the players who accumulates the most minutes under Arteta’s orders, playing 18 games in which he has scored four goals and has distributed two assists.. The one from Drammen is part of the new guard with the Smith Rowe, Martinelli or Bukayo Saka among others. One that has Arsenal in Champions positions.