23 September 2023 , 18:01
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Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka has waxed lyrical over Martin Odegaard after the Gunners captain's new contract made him the club's highest earner.
The contract means Odegaard is now tied to the Emirates until the summer of 2028 and saw him overtake Kai Havertz as the best-paid player at the Gunners. It is undeniably deserved given the midfielder's exploits last term, which saw him net 15 goals for the Gunners. He already has three to his name across all competitions this season.
Odegaard is one of the most important and influential players at the club, but has seen his leadership credentials previously called into question after manager Mikel Arteta entrusted him with the captain's armband last summer. However, Saka has shed light on how Arsenal's skipper operates and why he is so popular in the dressing room.
“He’s really important, not just as a player, as a leader as well," the England star explained. "He leads in a different way, but I love it and respect it. We all know he’s got unbelievable quality, creating goals and scoring goals and being the captain that we all love. I don’t mind being stuck with him! I’m happy for him and he deserves the new contract."
Arteta's reasons for naming Odegaard as captain were made clear before it had actually been confirmed. Mid-way through last year, the Arsenal boss told the media: "Martin has a lot of qualities that we want as a captain.
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"One of them is that he thinks about the team before himself. He had a period at the start where he wasn't playing, he was the first in training, the last to leave, asking the right questions – why he wasn't playing, what he had to do – he was always listening, he was always helping his teammates."
Odegaard spoke at length about Arsenal's ambitions following confirmation of his new deal and admitted he is hoping to lift some of the game's biggest honours as Gunners skipper. Arteta's men came close to a first league title in 19 years last season, but were eventually pipped by Manchester City.
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Bukayo Saka has praised his Arsenal captain Martin OdegaardThat has not deterred Odegaard from dreaming, as when asked about winning trophies with Arsenal, he claimed: “Of course, I am thinking about it. That is the big dream, the big goal, to win things with the club.
"That’s why I have signed here as well, because I believe we can achieve some great things. That’s the big goal and I am sure if we work hard, we can get to something really nice."
The 24-year-old also explained why Arsenal are an attractive project, both for players wanting to join and those who already represent the Gunners. "People want to be here as part of the project," Odegaard added.
"What we’re doing is really special and the players see what the manager wants to do and how the club is progressing, the connection we now have with the fans. I think it’s a no-brainer for the players to be part of that. With so many hungry young players, it’s a great place to be."