Everton vs Arsenal: What did Mikel Arteta say about Martin Odegaard’s new contract?

Arsenal have made a positive start to the new Premier League campaign, something they will be keen to continue going. The Gunners went into the international break after registering a morale-boosting 3-1 win over rivals Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium. The manner in which Arsenal won that game would have pleased Mikel Arteta. With the international break done and dusted, the attention has once again shifted to domestic football.

The first game for Arsenal after the break would be away to Everton in the Premier League. Prior to the contest at Goodison Park, Mikel Arteta gave an update about Martin Odegaard’s rumoured new contract. “He’s our captain. He’s a massive player for us, a really important player for us now and for the future. We’re extremely happy to have him and want to keep him here for a long time. I’m always optimistic and we have a really good relationship with him and his agent. We are really close to them and, whenever that’s confirmed, we’ll announce it,” he was quoted as saying by Arsenal.com.

Everton is the only one that we have in mind: Mikel Arteta

Arsenal have some important games to look forward in the coming days. None bigger than their return to Champions League football. “I’m really excited about it obviously. First, Everton is the only one that we have in mind. Obviously our record speaks for itself. In the last six years we haven’t won there, so we’re going to have to earn it and we know that we’re going to have to be at our best to beat them there and it’s something that we haven’t managed to do, so that’s where we’re going to start,” the manager said.

Arteta was also asked about how he has been able to work with the players who have returned from the recent international break. “Today was the first time that we could do a little bit because for some players it was match day minus two as well, so just managing that we knew that from the start. Don’t try to give them too much information, especially after 10 days away, but make sure that everybody is reconnected and clear on what we do and how we want to do it and our way of playing, and that’s it,” he explained.

There have been some big-money signings made by many sides in this window. One such player is Declan Rice. The English midfielder joined the Gunners for a big fee. However, the transfer fee does not seem to affect his performances since Rice has been able to settle in quite nicely. “Yeah, so obviously you always hope that the transition is going to be smooth and fast. But then sometimes, the reality is very different. In this case, I think it’s been really positive. I think he’s finding it really easy. I think he understood the team and our way of playing really, really fast and things are going well for him,” he stated.

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