Today, Monday is the day Odegaard. Except for a last minute surprise, the departure of the Norwegian player tol Arsenal. It is a loan until the end of the season and there is no purchase option. Thus will the wish of Odegaard who asked to leave Real Madrid last week, when he found that Zidane I was not going to count on him in the Copa del Rey. That was the straw that broke the camel's back of Odegaard's patience who got fed up with being invisible to Zidane who asked for his return from Real Sociedad, where he had to be on loan for another year, but has barely counted on him, as shown by the fact that he has played 367 minutes spread over the nine games he has played.
His destination is Arsenal where he is expected today to be presented. The English club and especially Mikel Arteta He is the one who has insisted the most on his hiring, accepting all the demands of Real Madrid that did not contemplate a purchase option at the end of the season. Something that the Royal Society, which seemed the favorite to have again Odegaard, He did not accept and withdrew from the bid. The incorporation of Odegaard will not be free for Arsenal and it is the English newspaper ‘The Times’ that revealed the financial details of the operation. The English team will pay two million euros to Real Madrid for having Odegaard until the end of the season, the same amount that the white team of Real Sociedad received the previous season for having the Norwegian footballer. In addition to those two million, Arsenal will pay the token of Odegaard, so the London team will get the operation for 2.8 million euros.
Odegaard's numbers
The newspaper ‘The Times’ highlighted the importance of Mikel Arteta for Odegaard to join Arsenal. According to the English newspaper, the coach spoke by phone with the player to assure him that he will have minutes and that ended up convincing Odegaard to say “yes” to Arsenal.
Criticism in England
The Norwegian player will arrive in London accompanied by many praise but also criticism. Alan smith, former player ‘gunner’, spoke very clearly about the arrival of Odegaard ccomparing it with that of Denis Suarez when he played for Arsenal. “In the end that was a bit embarrassing. I hope you do your homework with Odegaard. He is a young player who went to Real Madrid and a lot is expected of him and, as often happens, he does not materialize, “he told Stadium Astro.
Smith cHe continued assuring that “they are looking for more creativity. Smith Rowe has provided it. There was also talk that Christian Eriksen could be the target. That type of player is the one who can make a difference. I don't expect Odegaard I am going to start many games. It will be someone who will come in and out. A replacement, another option. He has had his problems developing at Madrid and the last thing Arsenal wants is to put in someone who cannot offer anything. You think in Denis Suarez, who arrived at the club and was not physically ready and was injured. It was embarrassing, ”insisted the former Arsenal footballer.