Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta has been determined to bring in Martin Odegaard entire summer on a permanent basis after his brief loan spell.
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Arsenal have confirmed the 30million pound signing of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid. The Norwegian spent the second half of last season on loan at the north London club. Manager Mikel Arteta has been determined to bring in a playmaker and talks over signing Odegaard, 22, on a permanent basis have been ongoing throughout the summer. He impressed in his 20 appearances for the Gunners from late January onwards. He scored twice and set up two further goals. Now, he will wear the No 8 shirt at The Emirates, formerly worn by his manager during his playing time at Arsenal. Odegaard was absent from Real Madrid’s training session on Wednesday. The final parts of the deal were being finalized and now Arsenal have confirmed the signing.
Martin Odegaard ? London Colney
Back home ? pic.twitter.com/6GpX9hOSBo
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 20, 2021
However, the Norwegian has not completed his move on time to make his debut in the London derby against Chelsea on Sunday. Instead, his second Gunners bow could come in the Carabao Cup against West Brom on Wednesday August 25.
Odegaard’s signing is Arsenal’s fourth of the summer. Following defender Ben White, left-back Nuno Tavares from Benfica and midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht. The Gunners aim to improve on last season’s eighth place finish. For the first time in 25 years, Arsenal missed out on European football.
Asked what Odegaard would add to his squad, Arteta added: “A lot of things that he brought last season, he made us better, we needed more options and alternatives for creativity.
“He is still a really young man but he has huge experiences in clubs already and has unique talents for the way we want to play so I am really pleased the club have made the effort.”
The Norwegian joined Real Madrid from Stromsgodset in 2015 but only made eight league appearances for the Spanish side. He also spent time on loan at Heerenveen, Vitesse and Real Sociedad.
Arteta had made it clear at the end of last season that he wanted Odegaard to return to the Emirates. He has since spoken about wanting to add more new signings to his squad before the transfer window closes on 31 August.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are also nearing completing a deal for Sheffield United’s Keeper Aaron Ramsdale. England Under-21 international Ramsdale made 38 Premier League appearances for the Blades last season.
He will join Bernd Leno and Runar Alex Runarsson as Arsenal’s goalkeepers.
“There is still some paperwork but his medical is done, still a few things to sort with Sheffield,” Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said.
“Aaron is a talented young keeper with huge experience and has international experience for England. He will bring competition and that’s what we want to create – healthy competition, quality competition in every position. We identified Aaron as the ideal option.”
