MARTIN ODEGAARD could stay at Arsenal beyond the end of the season, according to boss Mikel Arteta.
The Norwegian put pen to paper on a six-month loan deal from Real Madrid this week.
But if Arteta, a huge fan of the midfielder, has anything to do with it, Odegaard could stay in North London for much longer.
Asked about the prospect, the Spaniard, 38, said: “Yes, he certainly has all the qualities and characteristics that we are looking for.
“Then it will be down to two things. First of all, how well he adapts here and how much of an impact he can have in our team.
“Secondly, what Real Madrid and the player think about it because he’s owned by Real Madrid and the player has a big say in that too.”
Asked about what Odegaard, 22, adds to his current squad, Arteta continued: “He’s a player that we followed for some time and we believe that he’s got some special qualities that we need, that we have been missing.
“Now we have to give him a little bit of time. He hasn’t played that many minutes in Madrid but he’s been training hard and he looks so excited, as we are, to have another big talent at our club.
“I think in the last few seasons he’s progressed and developed in the right way.
“I’ve followed him very closely because he played for Real Sociedad, which is my hometown. I know him really well. I’ve been really impressed. He’s a such a talent.
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“He’s a specialist to play in the pockets, to play in the No8 or 10 positions. He can play off the sides.
“He’s a really creative player who’s really comfortable on the ball in tight spaces. He has the capacity to create chances and to score goals.
“Something that he has improved a lot is his work-rate without the ball as well, so it’s another option to give us more creativity for sure in the final third, and give us more options to set up in different ways against certain teams.”
The Gunners have paid £1.8million to loan Odegaard, and will cover his £76,000-a-week wages for the duration of his stint at Emirates Stadium.
Fans will hope to get a first glimpse of their new man on Saturday, when their team take on Manchester United at home in the Premier League, looking to do the double over the Red Devils after beating them 1-0 at Old Trafford in November.
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