Martin Odegaard has explained the special plan Mikel Arteta devised for him at Arsenal to help transform him into one of the best players in the Premier League.
Odegaard is thriving under Arteta at Arsenal and leading their pursuit of a top-four finish.
The Norway international is emerging as Arsenal’s new leader in their bid to secure Champions League qualification
In an interview with Norwegian broadcasters TV2 ahead of Arsenal’s game against Watford, Odegaard has offered insight into how Arteta has helped him realise his potential.
The interview reveals how Odegaard has worked on his game with Arteta, who wanted the midfielder to play closer to the opposition goal, score more goals, create more chances, play closer to the central striker to support him and work harder off the ball.
The start of the improvement in Odegaard’s game goes back to a conversation he had with Arteta before he joined Arsenal on loan in January 2021.
And this season, after joining on a permanent deal from Real Madrid last summer, the 23-year-old has taken his game to another level.
“I have never experienced a manager who is so sharp on details and small things in the game,” said Odegaard.
“He helps me a lot. I think it’s fascinating and I try to get as many tips as possible.
“Right from the start, I had a great sense for him. I felt it from the first time I spoke to him at a Zoom meeting before I signed here on loan. He was very clear on how he saw me as a player, how he could use me and what he could help me with. Ever since then, it has been very good.
“He is already a top manager, and I think he will be for many years to come. He is young, just like our team, and will only get better. I think we will see a lot of him in the future.”
Odegaard added: “I feel I have become more important for the team and taken up more space. I have really found my position and connections to those around me. It has gotten better and better.
“I definitely feel that. I feel like I’m in a very nice place. I have been given peace and stability to establish myself somewhere, and not stress about where the next loan should be. Now this is where I am, and it feels good.”
Odegaard is being tipped to become the next Arsenal captain following the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January.
“No, you know what, I have not thought of that, to be completely honest, said Odegaard.
“That’s not something I think I really want to achieve. If it happens one day, of course it’s cool and cool and all that, but it kind of does not change much for me.
“I’m not going to change as a person if that happens. I do not feel that I changed when I became captain of the national team. I do my thing, and then there is a little more responsibility involved, but it is not important to me.
“It’s not a status I want. I’m going to do the same anyway. It’s not important to me, to be completely honest.”
Odegaard added: “We are in the process of building something very good. We have lots of young, promising players and some a little older, more experienced. The mix is ââvery nice.
“I feel we are getting better and better, our game is coming out more clearly, and we have become much more solid defensively. The big goal for this year is the top four and the Champions League. I believe and hope we can do it. Then we get to set new goals after that.”
