Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has said to Arsenal’s official website that he has been shocked by Martin Odegaard’s character since he arrived.
Odegaard has only just broken into Arsenal’s starting line-up, but the Real Madrid loanee has quickly impressed on his fleeting appearances so far.
The playmaker was in good form at the weekend, as the Gunners beat Leeds United 4-2.
And Arteta admits that he has been surprised by the strength of Odegaard’s character already.
“Yes,” Arteta said when asked about whether Odegaard’s character is better than even he expected. “And when I talk about leadership as well, it’s how he talks to his team-mates, how he commands the high press and then the personality he shows.
“Every time the opponent comes after him, he still shows for the ball in the right areas. His decision making is really good and he’s a really intelligent player.”
The positive noises about Odegaard will only increase optimism that he could be brought in on a permanent basis.
The Sun have claimed that Arsenal have made no decision over his long-term future yet, but the youngster’s impressive start will surely heighten the demand for him to be capture on a permanent basis.
Odegaard may well have a chance of featuring this evening, when Arsenal take on Benfica in the Europa League, when he will be aiming to keep up his impressive start to life with the North London side.
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