Martin Odegaard has signed a new five-year contract that will keep him at Arsenal until the summer of 2028, the club has confirmed.
The 24-year-old Norway midfielder joined Arsenal from Real Madrid initially on loan in January 2021 before signing a permanent four-year deal that August, with an option to extend his stay for a further 12 months.
Odegaard has made 112 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions, scoring 27 goals and providing 15 assists. He is now the captain of Arsenal and the performances and leadership qualities that he has delivered over the last 12 months have warranted him a new deal with the London club.
Mikel Arteta said: “It’s great news for the club and the team. I’m really happy for him as well, he fully deserves that.
“It just shows there are many ways to make it. There are many pathways to arrive to where you want to be. At the end, it’s about finding a place where you feel comfortable, valued and where you can express your talent.”
Having initially found game time tough to come by at Real Madrid, Odegaard went out on loan to Real Sociedad where he was able to get some regular first-team football when he was 21.
Odegaard scored seven times and assisted nine times with the Spanish outfit and made it into the La Liga Team of the Season that year. Arteta discussed Odegaard’s arduous climb through the footballing ranks has led him to Arsenal, where he feels he is finally at home.
“I think he’s found that place,” Arteta said. “He’s loved and respected by everybody, and he fully deserves what he’s doing.
“The other thing is the contributions of all the players you have around you.
“When you have players who have the quality to make you better, that’s a huge bonus. You are as good as your team and the players around him elevate his qualities and that’s why he’s better and better.”
Arteta and sporting director Edu have completely reshaped Arsenal and have created a youthful, vibrant squad that has only just started – with Odegaard the central vocal point and leader that the club have been crying out for so many years.
