Arsenal: Martin Odegaard lists 2 key factors in permanent Gunners transfer

Martin Odeegard Talks Comfort and Development under Arteta

Of course, any player temporarily plying their trade at a club will speak well of their part-time employers. For their sake as much as anything, throwing shade and risking your chance in the team defeats the purpose of being on loan in the first place.

However, in Odegaard’s case, it’s clear that he is loving his time in the capital.

"He said of Arteta: “Very good. He is incredible. I have a lot to learn from him. I just need to ‘sharpen my ears’ and pay attention. He is fantastic.”"

The 22-year-old has not spoken of Zinedine Zidane in such terms. It’s no secret that they have a fractured relationship, one stemming from the Frenchman’s unwillingness to grant Odegaard a regular run of games at Madrid, whereas the praise he lavishes Arteta is is glowing at the very least.

And, coming back to the point of development, Odegaard made another fine case for a return to Arsenal

"“It’s been improving from the very beginning,” he said of himself at the club. “I feel I quickly adapted and understood how we play. I lacked match fitness and self-confidence. The more games I’ve played, the better I’ve become. It’s a rising curve.”"

With a European berth via the Premier League looking beyond the Gunners’ reach, the Europa League has become their sole objective in their bid to rescue an otherwise abysmal season. If Odegaard can replicate performances like the one at West Ham onto the European stage, then Arsenal have every chance of doing so.

Surely, win a European trophy and return to the Champions League and Odegaard is Arsenal’s, right?