Arsenal are keen on retaining the services of Martin Odegaard beyond this season either on loan or on a permanent deal, according to Daily Mail.
The publication are claiming that Mikel Arteta has been impressed by the star since his arrival from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
The Norwegian has hit the ground running in the red and white, scoring two goals in each of his last two appearances in wins over Olympiacos and Tottenham Hotspur.
What should Arsenal do regarding Odegaard?
Sign permanently
Extend his loan
Don't bring him back
It seems the Gunners are stuck between a rock and a hard place with regard to the 22-year-old. Whilst there’s an obvious desire to sign the player permanently, continued good displays like those across the last two games may entice Madrid to keep him in the Spanish capital.
This was one of the reasons Freddie Ljungberg was confused as to why Arsenal acquired the playmaker in the first place. The Swede was confused about why the Gunners would choose to develop a player for another club as opposed to trusting their younger players like Emile Smith Rowe who can play in that position.
And should the La Liga outfit decide to keep the Norway international beyond his loan spell, you feel the club legend would be proven right.
However, there is a case to be made that Arsenal desperately needed another playmaker given how badly the likes of Willian and Nicolas Pepe were performing around the first-half of the season. There was also question marks over the fitness of Gabriel Martinelli, who was only just returning from a long-term hamstring injury, and Smith Rowe, who had his own history issues.
If the opportunity does arise for Arsenal to sign the ace on a permanent deal, you feel the north London giants would be foolish to pass up the opportunity. Odegaard, who Kevin Campbell says should have Arsenal forwards ‘licking their lips’, adds far too much quality and depth to the attack to be passed up and at 22-years-old fits the mould of Arteta’s project.
