Stan Collymore believes Martin Odegaard agreeing to sign a new contract at Arsenal
will be ‘really good news’ for Mikel Arteta as the Gunners’ captain is ‘phenomenal’.

The Emirates Stadium natives are currently in talks with Odegaard over locking down the 24-year-old’s future for the foreseeable. He is only under contract in north London right now to June 2025. Arsenal gave the midfielder a four-year deal when signing him from Real Madrid.

Odegaard completed a permanent transfer to Arteta’s team for £34m in August 2021 having enjoyed an initial six-month loan. Los Blancos initially welcomed the 53-cap Norway maestro back to the Santiago Bernabeu. But he quickly realised there would not be a key role to play.

Arsenal are optimistic Odegaard will sign a new contract

Arteta saw room for Odegaard to improve after a majestic start to his Arsenal career on loan from Real Madrid. The midfielder only scored once and assisted two goals across 14 Premier League games whilst still a Galactico. Yet his first full campaign yielded seven and four in 36.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette then exiting Emirates Stadium in 2022 also saw Arteta hand Odegaard the Arsenal captaincy. But the extra responsibilities brought a better player out of the Drammen native as he scored 15 and created eight over 37 games.

Odegaard even already has two goals from four league matches so far this season amid talks about improved terms. ESPN reports that Arsenal are ‘increasingly confident’ that Odegaard will agree to sign a new contract to June 2027. It will give him a significant wage rise, as well.

Arsenal afforded the playmaker a £120k-a-week deal to secure his transfer in 2021. But they now accept Odegaard merits an improved salary to better reflect his role in Arteta’s side. He will likely now shoot up the wage bill at Emirates Stadium and be amongst their top earners.

Collymore believes Arteta has ‘one of the best midfielders’

Collymore believes Odegaard signing a new contract will be excellent for Arsenal given what he offers Arteta. The former Nottingham Forest and Liverpool striker also feels the Norway sensation is a ‘phenomenal’ player and he is ‘easily one of the best midfielders’ in England.

He wrote in a column for Caught Offside: “If and when that is officially announced, that will be really, really good news for the Gunners. He’s been excellent since he joined from Real Madrid a couple of years ago.

“And with his current deal set to expire at the end of next season, making sure they do not lose arguably their best player for next-to-nothing is really smart from Arsenal.

“Odegaard is hugely important to Mikel Arteta’s plans and project. So, by keeping him on board really shows the ambition of the club and where they’re aspiring to be.”

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