Arsenal star Martin Odegaard exposed details of his first meeting with manager Mikel Arteta.
While speaking to the Players Tribune, the Norwegian player opened up about his first meeting with Arsenal boss Arteta stressing that the Gunners boss convinced him to join from Real Madrid despite the club’s then-lowly position in the Premier League table.
“At the time, Arsenal were not doing well. They were way down like 15th in the table, but that meeting … Honestly, I challenge anyone to come away from a meeting with Arteta and not believe everything he tells you.
“He is next level. It’s hard to explain. He’s passionate, he’s intense and sometimes, yeah, he’s a bit crazy … but when he speaks, you understand that whatever he says will happen, will happen.
“He told me all about these amazing young players in the squad — Saka, Martinelli, Smith Rowe, etc., etc. He told me how he wanted me to fit in and how I was going to improve.
“I got this strong feeling that he was onto something really special.”
Arteta’s team has been the Premier League’s surprise package this term, inspired by the youthful flare of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Odegaard.
Indeed, Odegaard has been one of the team’s most productive players, registering eight goals and five assists in his 19 Premier League games so far.