✍️ OFFICIAL Martin Ødegaard

[MikelHadADream]

Very good price considering. Let's hope he has little to no adaptation period and really kick on. If he can replicate that West Ham performance on a regular basis it will be a good move.

 

[Vibra]

Doesn't really feel like a new signing when he missed a single game lol

 

[Axel9090]

Chuffed to bits! Hes going to be sensational in a few seasons.

 

[Bloodbather]

A thing that might go underappreciated is that Ødegaard now has clarity on his future. He's not going to be auditioning for a permanent role at Real anymore. Changing teams every year is not great for a player's development.

 

[Monstar-Gunn4r]

Delighted with this, we're raising the technical ability of the team and the midfield massively. Think Pepe should be the one to drop here, getting a goal every 3 games isnt good enough if you lose the ball or play safe passes 10-20 times a match and dont consistently help your right back.

A 3 of Esr, Ode and Saka behind a main striker will create a lot of opportunities. Think Saka and Esr will be picking up a lot of penalties as they're going in to the box at pace with with the ball and passing options. Keeping possesion in dangerous areas was a disaster for us so he should help like before, it also adds a little bit more bite to our counter attacks.

 

[Majora]

Do you feel though he is someone who vastly improves us? I don't know what to make of him. He showed flashes but that's all.

He’s not going to come in and be a world beater but I feel that we are a better team with him than without, and that at 22, with only a few months of premier league experience, he will only improve. With other positions also needing to be improved, I think it’s a good deal.

 

[Bloodbather]

Also, I'm glad that we ended up with Ødegaard and not Maddison, and not just for price purposes. Think Ødegaard continues to have potential to be world class someday, whereas Maddison doesn't seem to have so much untapped potential.

 

[Camron]

A thing that might go underappreciated is that Ødegaard now has clarity on his future.

 

[avenellroad]

Awful tune. Fitting for the conference league.

 

[Pop Tart]

Only for Laca to blast it over

Works hard though...

 

[El Duderino]

That'll be helpful when he's attending the sex parties with Laca and Aubameyang.

Might need some penicilin as well.

 

[Macho]

Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign Martin Ødegaard from Real Madrid in a deal worth €35 million with potential add-ons rising to around €40 million.

Ødegaard is expected to sign a four-year deal until 2025 with the club having an option to extend for a fifth year.

The 22-year-old will complete a two-part medical on Thursday and there is hope that he will be able to be part of the Arsenal squad for their game against Chelsea on Sunday, depending on whether the midfielder secures a visa.

Ødegaard returned to Spain following a six-month loan spell with Arsenal last season, where he made 20 appearances and scored two goals.

He has featured for Real in pre-season, under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, but was not included in their match-day squad for the 4-1 victory over Alaves at the weekend.

Despite joining Real in 2015 as a highly-coveted 17-year-old, Ødegaard has only made eight league appearances for the Spanish giants. The 22-year-old spent time on loan at Dutch sides Heerenveen and Vitesse, as well as Real Sociedad, before making the temporary move to Arsenal in January.

Ødegaard made his Norway debut in 2014 and has gone on to win 30 caps for his country, scoring once. He captained the side during the last set of international friendlies in June.

What will he bring to Arsenal?​

The Norway captain will bring much needed creative support for Emile Smith Rowe and ultimately, more balance in advanced areas of the pitch.

Primarily known for what he does on the ball, Ødegaard has quick feet in tight situations, good vision and a nice weight of pass.

Alongside this, what impressed Arteta about him during his 2020-21 loan spell was his application and leadership when Arsenal were out of possession.

Where would he fit in?​

Arsenal’s reliance on Kieran Tierney spearheading attacks down the left is one of their most predictable themes.

Ødegaard tends to operate just off the right, combining with Smith Rowe, who drifts in off the left, to give Mikel Arteta’s side more ways to break down stubborn defences. Given the struggles Arsenal had during pre-season and on the opening day against Brentford when faced with a low block, this will be a welcome addition in midfield.

He was often the player to step into the first line of defence (next to the striker) when Arsenal pressed teams in a 4-4-2 shape, guiding opposition defenders towards the touchline.

How much of a boost is this signing?​

Signing Ødegaard would be a major boost. There have been mixed views across the fanbase, with his performances against Villarreal in the Europa League semi-final a low point, but what he brought to Arsenal’s overall play during his time in north London was more representative of the 22-year-old.

Alongside the aforementioned aspects of his game, the fact he was able to settle into his surroundings quickly and that he already knows the club will be considered beneficial.

The deal being permanent will also hold importance as it will stop the short term deals Arsenal have been scrambling for in midfield (two Dani Ceballos loans and Ødegaard himself on loan) since summer 2019.

Where can I find out more?​

During his loan spell, Ødegaard's intelligence showed that he could play alongside fellow playmaker Emile Smith Rowe in Arteta's side.

For a tactical breakdown of how Ødegaard elevated Arsenal beyond his creativity during his first loan spell, Go Deeper below.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

4+1 is very good also there no words about buyback clause and that positive too 30m for Ødegaard is very good stuff. still RB CM CF GK to go lol. at least RB to make our starting 11 acceptable.

 

[berric]

Awesome deal all-around. Finally some good business.

 

[Riou]

"Arsenal's reliance on Kieran Tierney spearheading attacks..."

Can't believe I supported Arteta for so long, ngl

 

[blaze_of_glory]

This first game or he's a fraud

 

[A_G]

BTW I didn't change the tag to confirmed, before the murder threats start flowing in.

 

[Macho]

BTW I didn't change the tag to confirmed, before the murder threats start flowing in.

can I not get a threadmark atleast my g? man come with the fee, paywall content and everything smh

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

This first game or he's a fraud

did made few of these passes with us too. shame they end up being wasted

 

[blaze_of_glory]

@American_Gooner , let's see a threadmark for each murder threat received.