Martin Odegaard coy on Arsenal future after Mikel Arteta decision - "No comment"

13 September 2023 , 07:08

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Martin Odegaard coy on Arsenal future after Mikel Arteta decision - "No comment"

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has admitted he hopes to play for the Gunners for a "long time" as speculation over a contract extension continues to linger.

The 24-year-old's current deal runs until the summer of 2025, but given his recent performances, those at the top of the club hierarchy are desperate to tie the Norway captain to the Emirates for the long haul. The latest round of Arsenal-related rumours suggests manager Mikel Arteta has made the decision to make Odegaard the next high-profile player to earn a contract extension.

Over the last few months, the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba and Aaron Ramsdale have all penned new deals to commit their long-term future to Arsenal. It would send quite the message in relation to what Arteta is trying to build in north London if Odegaard joined that list.

Arsenal's desire to secure Odegaard's signature for another contract is not believed to stem from a fear of losing the mercurial midfielder, though French giants Paris Saint-Germain were touted with a shock move over the summer. Pressed for comment on how negotiations were going for the Gunners, the former Real Madrid man kept his cards close to his chest.

"I don’t have much to say, apart from the fact that I am very happy at Arsenal and I hope I can be there for a long time," Odegaard explained to Norwegian outlet Nettavisen. "Beyond that, I have no comment right now. Now, it is the national team that is in focus."

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Odegaard also dons the armband for his country and during this international break talked up Norwegian wonderkid Antonio Nusa, who was recently the subject of links to Arsenal and set up both goals during Tuesday's 2-1 win over Georgia in Euro 2024 qualifying.

"Fantastic! He is an incredibly exciting player," Odegaard told TV2. "You see it, everything he gets the ball, it’s exciting. He is still young and will get even better. It was cool to see him. He deserved to get the chance that he takes it to such an extent. Incredibly cool!

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Martin Odegaard is a key player for Arsenal (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

"He must continue as he has done. Work hard, be humble. He’s a nice boy. Very calm and nice type. It’s going to be just fine. He just has to enjoy the football and continue to deliver as he does. Then it will be good."

There's every chance Odegaard could be lining up alongside his Norway colleague Nusa at the Emirates soon enough as Arteta continues to prowl the market so that the Gunners are as prepared as they can be for the January transfer window.

Josh O'Brien