Martin Odegaard has opened up about the change he has felt since leaving Real Madrid permanently to join Arsenal last summer.
In an interview with TV2, as quoted by Spanish publication AS, Martin Odegaard did not get drawn up into comparisons between Arsenal and Real Madrid. But he did assert that he has found his place at Arsenal, adding that he is constantly improving at the Emirates.
Martin Odegaard joined Real Madrid as a prodigious 16-year-old in Real Madrid, primed for big things after taking age-group football in Norway by storm before the big transfer. But the move to the Spanish capital did not work out for the 23-year-old, who flourished on loan spells away from the Santiago Bernabeu but never got a chance to make an impression at Real Madrid.
Odegaard was particularly impressive during his stints with Real Sociedad and Arsenal, with the Gunners succeeding in signing him permanently last summer. And the former Real Madrid playmaker has been in excellent form, for the most part, this term, chipping in with five goals and four assists in 27 appearances across all competitions.
While the Norwegian international made a slow start to the season, he has come into his own as the campaign has progressed. Most recently, Odegaard was tremendous as Arsenal beat Watford 3-2 at Vicarage Road. And the former Real Madrid playmaker has spoken about the difference in him since joining Arsenal.
Arsenal didn’t miss with the signing of Martin Odegaard ? pic.twitter.com/ZiBlEQgSSW
— GOAL (@goal) March 7, 2022
In an interview with TV2 (h/t AS), Odegaard said, “I feel that I’m hitting form. It’s always difficult to compare your current form with what you did before, but I feel as though I am training at a good level every day. I feel as though I am important for the team once again. I have found my position and the ability to connect with the players around me. I’m improving all the time.”
Odegaard was also quizzed about comparisons with former Real Madrid and Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil, and he responded by saying, “I’m not too keen on comparing myself to other players, but I take it as a great accomplishment. He was a player who I really admired. He was one of my favourites when I was younger.”
This season, Odegaard’s advent has coincided with the Arsenal first-team getting used to the system under Mikel Arteta. The 23-year-old is a part of the young revolution along with Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli, and he seems to have put his Real Madrid struggles behind him for good.
