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Odegaard reveals the key reason he chose to join Arsenal

Odegaard
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A number of clubs were in the running to sign Odegaard but the Norway international reveals why he chose to join Arsenal above the others.

Martin Odegaard has revealed the influence of Mikel Arteta after choosing to join Arsenal.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Gunners announced the signing of the Norway international on loan from Real Madrid until the end of the season.

For a good part of the season, Arsenal have struggled to find a player with the profile for creativity in the heart of midfield.

Youngster Emile Smith Rowe has filled that void of late but an injury to the 20-year-old could leave the Gunners short in the creativity department.

The departure of Mesut Ozil further heightened the aforementioned need and it is perhaps why the Gunners moved in for Odegaard.

A host of clubs were put on red alert after the Real Madrid man asked to leave the club.

Mikel Arteta reportedly made a crucial phone call that convinced Odegaard to join and the player himself has now confirmed the influence of the Arsenal manager.

He said to the club’s website: “I spoke to him before coming here, of course. That was very important for me and he seems like a top manager and I liked his ideas, the way he sees football and also the way he is.”

“He gave me a great feeling and that was important for me to come here. He was crucial.”

“I think every time you go to a new place, you want to make sure that it feels good and that there is a plan. But I think everything here just seems good.

“I like the club and I always liked the way that the club wants to play. Everything about the club and now how the manager wants to play, I think it’s a club that really suits me well. So I think it’s a good match.”

Odegaard also revealed that he has watched Arsenal for a long time and used to idolise one of their midfielders in particular.

“In Norway, the Premier League is really big. Since I was a little kid there, we always watched all the games, me and my friends.”

“I think it’s the biggest league, especially in Norway, so for me it’s always been a dream to play in the Premier League and I always liked the way Arsenal played and everything about the club. So it’s a dream come true in many ways.”

“There were a lot [of Arsenal players I admired]. But I think Fabregas, for me, was one of my idols when I grew up. So especially him.”

“The way he controls the game, the way he dictated the game, his ability to give assists and also score goals. Everything about his game.”

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