Mikel Arteta has revealed a permanent deal for Martin Odegaard is very much in this thoughts after the Norway international arrived on loan from Real Madrid for the rest of the season earlier this week.
The emergence of Emile Smith Rowe over the course of the last six weeks had reduced what appeared to be a pressing need to add extra creativity to a team that had been desperately short of goals prior to Christmas.
Arsenal had registered an interest in Norwich’s Emi Buendia and had been monitoring Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt, but moved swiftly for Odegaard when it became clear he was surplus to requirement in the Spanish capital
The 22-year-old is in contention to make his debut in Saturday’s heavyweight Premier League clash against Manchester United, but will need to adapt quickly to the demands of English football if Arsenal are to pursue the possibility of making his transfer a permanent one.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Arteta said: ‘He certainly has all the qualities and characteristics that we are looking for for that position.
Then it will be down to two things. First of all, how well he adapts here and how much of an impact he can have in our team.
Martin Odegaard’s shirt number confirmed after completing Arsenal move
Secondly, what Real Madrid and the player think about it because he’s owned by Real Madrid and the player has a big say in that too.’ Smith Rowe, meanwhile, was taken off during the closing stages of Tuesday’s win at Southampton and is a doubt for the game against United.
He, along with fellow youngster Bukayo Saka, have been virtual ever-presents in recent weeks and been key to Arsenal’s revival
Arteta is conscious of the need to guard against the threat of burnout and will look to protect his breakthrough stars over the course of the next few weeks where possible. He said:
‘Monitoring very closely what they need, what they are doing and the steps they are taking over periods of time and assessing all the time about where they are.
‘It is not only about the physical, it is about the mental side as well to deal with the pressure, the expectations, and every character is different so we have to manage that very closely.’
