SHARE

Martin Ødegaard initially joined Arsenal on a loan deal from Real Madrid in January 2021 before the Gunners re-signed him on a permanent transfer last summer.

The Norway international has managed six goals and five assists in all competitions for the north London club this season.

Earlier this month, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the 23-year-old has improved players around him at the Emirates. He also suggested the criticism Ødegaard received earlier in his career has made him grow.

The former Real Madrid man helped the Gunners seal a 3-1 win over Manchester United on Saturday. The same day his father, Hans Erik Ødegaard, helped guide Sandefjord Fotball to a 5-0 win over Strømsgodset.

“A good day for the Ødegaard family. We like it. 8-1 is good,” Ødegaard Sr told Norway’s VG.

When Hans Erik was reminded that he is a Liverpool supporter, he countered it by saying: “I’m a bit of an Arsenal fan now.”

He then went on to detail how his son has adapted at Arsenal under Arteta.

“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,” he explained.

Martin Ødegaard has captained Arsenal in the last three league matches. On this topic, Hans Erik said: “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.”