Martin Odegaard’s father Hans Erik has voiced his opinion on Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and how it prompted a change of heart from him on the club.
The Norwegian playmaker joined the Gunners on a permanent deal from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window ahead of this season start. It followed a successful second half of the season loan spell in North London last season and is now one of the first names in the Gunners line-up.
Things did not always go swimmingly for the starlet in Spain, and he was sent on loan a number of times before eventually leaving the Bernabeu in a permanent deal worth a reported £30million. However, as the 23-year-old continues to prove doubters wrong, Arteta has helped him improve as a player.
Odegaard played just 11 times for Real Madrid's first team after his €3m (£2.5m) move from Stromsgodset in 2015. He had loan spells with Heerenveen, Vitesse and Real Sociedad – where he established himself as one of the best players in La Liga – before making the move to Arsenal.
In an interview with Norway's VG, in quotes translated by Sport Witness, his father Hans Erik admitted that his long-held support of Liverpool was now no longer definitive in English football: "I'm a bit of an Arsenal fan now."
He then went on to explain his son's progress and adaptation at Arsenal, where he has scored six goals and provided five assists to date this campaign. Odegaard starred in recent wins over Chelsea and Manchester United.
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Hans Erik continued: “Many people talk about it being so very good now. But if you look at the last few years, he has been stable for a long time. He was not so bad in Real Sociedad either. Now he has joined a team that is developing very well. He thrives there.”
Odegaard had already captained Norway's national side on multiple occasions before wearing the armband for Arsenal this campaign. International boss Stale Solbakken officially made him captain in 2021, and he skippered the side as they narrowly missed out on a spot in the World Cup qualifying play-offs.
Speaking of his captaincy at Arsenal, Hans Erik added: “A declaration of trust. He is very happy with Arteta, but also very happy with the support staff, everything around the club and the locker room. The players have received him well.”
Odegaard has arguably been Arsenal’s most impressive performer this campaign and any hopes the Gunners have of a top-four finish will hinge on his performance level over the campaign.
