Arsenal Captain Martin Ødegaard has extended his term with the Gunners by signing a long-term contract until 2028. The club confirmed this news to the fans on Friday. The 24-year-old is now the highest-paid player at the Emirates.
The Norwegian initially arrived on loan from Real Madrid in January 2021, having struggled to secure playing time in Madrid. Later in the summer Arsenal made the midfielder’s move to the Emirates permanent after a brief spell of six months, and he has now signed an extension.
Martin Ødegaard becomes Arsenal’s highest-paid player after long-term deal
Ødegaard was one of the most promising talents at Real Madrid and earned a promotion to the senior team. However, despite his potential, he struggled to secure regular playing time in the star-studded Real Madrid squad.
Real Madrid loaned Ødegaard to La Liga rivals Real Sociedad after his promising stint, and upon his return to Madrid, he continued to face a similar situation with limited playing time.
In the summer of 2021, Ødegaard permanently moved to the North London club for £34 million, securing his contract until 2024. His 20 appearances during his loan spell in the second half of the season convinced Arteta that he would thrive as a part of his system.
The Arsenal Captain said, “Signing a new contract was a really easy decision for me, what we are doing right now as a club is special, and I want to be a part of that”, following his contract extension.
In the previous season, the midfielder contributed to a total of 20 goals and was subsequently named the club captain. He has now become the highest-paid player at the club. The captain has started in all of Arsenal’s games this season, and the team have maintained an unbeaten record this season.
Arsenal players with extended contracts in the past year
Arsenal have offered contract extensions to many of their key players, as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is prioritizing the retention of the club’s young core for the long term to secure the future.
Recently, the club secured contract extensions for players such as Gabriel, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Aaron Ramsdale, and William Saliba. The club captain’s name has also joined this list. In addition, they have signed Declan Rice from West Ham on a four-year deal to bolster their midfield.
The Spaniard boss, Arteta, has indeed transformed the Gunners from a struggling side into a Premier League contender. In the previous season, they finished in second place, narrowly missing out on the league title by just 5 points. They also secured UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time in 6 years.
What are your thoughts on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal? Will they be back to their glory days with the Spaniard at the helm?
