Arsenal closing in on signing Martin Odegaard on loan

Arsenal are reportedly at an advanced stage in their pursuit of Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard.

The 22-year-old Norwegian attacking midfielder is desperate to leave the Spanish giants after he was mismanaged which left him unhappy.

Odegaard initially wanted to rejoin his former side Real Sociedad where he scored seven goals and registered eight assists in 36 appearances last season.

But Arteta personally called him and talked to him which completely changed the negotiation. Arsenal immediatly became Odegaard’s priority and according to Fabrizio Romano via his Twitter page Arsenal and Real Madrid are working to finalize the short-loan deal and odegaard is waiting.

Martin Odegaard during a La Liga match for Real Madrid. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“Obviously we played today. Since last night I don’t have any updates. Probably I will get a few phone calls today and see where we are with every deal.” Arteta responded when asked about the Odegaard deal.

The arrival of Martin Odegaard would give Arsenal another option in the attacking midfield position. The Gunners had been struggling to create chances in the Premier League majorly because of the void in the number 10 position.

This was until Mikel Arteta integrated Emile Smith-Rowe into the attacking midfield position. The youngster is believed to be the player that has transformed Arsenal’s Premier League form.

Smith-Rowe has created ten goal scoring chances in his five appearances, the second most in the League in this timeframe. He has also gone ahead to provide three assists.

Odegaard is a highly talented footballer. Key passes, Dribbling, Long shots, Crossing and taking set-pieces being the strengths he possesses are the exact qualities of a player the Arsenal are missing.