Arsenal suffer major Martin Odegaard transfer blow from Real Madrid

Arsenal have suffered a blow in their hopes of signing Martin Odegaard on a permanent transfer after news emerged from Spain of Real Madrid’s stance on the Norwegian.

Arriving in north London after growing impatient with the lack of playing time under Zinedine Zidane, Martin Odegaard expressed a desire to leave the capital club on loan in the January transfer window.

Of those interested, Mikel Arteta’s side came in with the promise of regular minutes for the talented 22-year-old, but even those well-versed in his talents may have been surprised to see that promise fulfilled to the extent it has.

Given time to integrate accordingly, he’s since been chosen to start the two biggest games of the season against Benfica, fixtures that came either side of Premier League clashes with Leeds and Manchester City, both of which he also started in.

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Arsenal suffer major Martin Odegaard transfer blow from Real Madrid after fine performances under Mikel Arteta

Emile Smith Rowe has to be nurtured due to his age and injury record. He needs time. Odegaard requires similar patience for different reasons. As he familiarises with his teammates and builds up sharpness supporters will see the true making of this outstanding talent.

Already, however, we’re seeing his ability in motion. He is a different operator to Smith Rowe with his ability to pick a pass in the final third; his vision is best used in front of opposing defences, while Smith Rowe has shown his strengths drifting into half spaces and assisting the strikers with supporting runs.

Given the splendid level of his performances so far, and the worrying injury sustained to Smith Rowe setting him up for a prolonged stint in the No. 10, the calls to sign him permanently from Madrid grow louder by the week.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget he isn’t contracted to the Gunners. He’s inherited the ‘Arsenal way’ in his short time at the club, even if enough of his traits boasted such features before he even pulled the shirt on.

All of which is worrying. As his performances continue to earn praise, Madrid may change their tune.

Real Madrid Want to Keep Martin Odegaard After His Arsenal Loan

The noises coming out of Spain are not surprising. Just as fans become smitten with the displays Odegaard has produced, Madrid are lapping up the form he’s shown with regular minutes under his belt.

Marca report that Madrid ‘believe that he has a big part to play in their midfield in the future’.

With just 11 Los Blancos appearances to his name since joining from Strømsgodset in 2014, Odegaard is now on his fifth loan spell away from the club.

Having not seen him in full flow while donning the Madrid white, this latest spell is the club’s biggest indicator yet that he’s prepared to make his mark at Santiago Bernabeu. Furthermore, it’s added that he had been suffering from tendinitis in his knee, an issue that he was dealing with over the summer and only fully recovered from a few weeks ago.

All of this talk is expected and even inevitably going to ramp up as Odegaard earns more minutes and increases his physical strength. Yet what plays in Arsenal’s favour is the previously mentioned unwillingness Odegaard has to ever play for Madrid while Zidane remains at the helm.

Said to have ‘no intention’ of going back while the Frenchman leads the team, that aspect will still have a big role to play in determining his long-term future.

From a purely visual standpoint, Odegaard is playing with a smile on his face at Arsenal and clearly loving life under Arteta. Only at the club since January 27, his celebration in the last-gasp 3-2 win over Benfica was indicative of someone who feels well settled and emotionally attached. Yes, a professional should embrace his surroundings and give his all to whichever team he plays for, but he didn’t cut the figure of someone who wasn’t embracing the challenge presented to him.

As will be the case until the end of the season, enjoy his presence while it lasts. It may be short-lived.