What’s the most important thing when it comes to building an empire – Is it recruitment of new members, or keeping your current and expert members happy and committed? If you said the first, you’re wrong. Or at least in the eyes of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
A key feature to Mikel Arteta’s rebuild hasn’t necessarily been about splashing the cash in the transfer window, although some new additions have certainly helped. It’s mainly been about keeping the players who were already there happy and adapting them to fit his style of play. Look at the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Granit Xhaka – all were players who weren’t signed by Arteta but look better under him.
Martinelli has already signed a new contract and Saka is thought to be very close now. But it doesn’t stop there.
According to Steve Kay of Football Transfers, the Gunners are aiming to extend the contract of skipper Martin Odegaard until 2030. No, that’s not a typo: I meant 2030.
It shows the key importance of Odegaard to this Arsenal team. Not just on the pitch but off it too. Odegaard has been speaking to the media recently, describing the final Premier League fixtures as “cup finals”. And you can see it, too.
Odegaard is constantly seen on the pitch, snapping his players into gear. If there’s a man unmarked or a Gunner out of position, they won’t be for long before the skipper sees it and intervenes. This is Arteta’s dream, since even his voice can only stretch so far.
If Odegaard loves the club as much as he professes, then I wouldn’t put it past him to sign. He has Arsenal to thank for housing him during his redemption arc. Many thought he was down and out after he failed to live up to his wonderkid status, but now he’s playing in England, he’s one of the best in his position.
Do you think Martin Odegaard will extend his Arsenal stay?