Martin Odegaard says he hopes to play for Arsenal for a ‘long time’ amid reports he is in talks over a contract extension.
Arsenal news, exclusives and analysis
The Arsenal captain’s current deal expires in 2025 and it is said that the club are planning to negotiate a new and improved contract over the next few weeks and months.
Given how important Odegaard is to Mikel Arteta, this news has delighted Gunners fans, with the attacking midfielder set to be the latest player to commit his future to the Emirates.
Aaron Ramsdale, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, are among those to have penned new deals in the last few months.
The north London side don’t fear losing the former Real Madrid starlet, who first joined the club in January 2021, though there was interest from PSG over the summer.
However, Odegaard was coy on the contract talks when asked about them while on international duty with Norway.
‘I don’t have much to say, apart from the fact that I am very happy at Arsenal and I hope I can be there for a long time,’ the 24-year-old told Norwegian outlet Nettavisen.
‘Beyond that, I have no comment right now. Now, it is the national team that is in focus.’
It’s been a successful international break for Norway, with Odegaard skippering them to a 6-0 victory in a friendly against Jordan, before he scored in a 2-1 win over Georgia on Tuesday night.
That result has kept their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024 alive, though they are still some way behind Scotland and Spain in their group.
Had they have drawn with Georgia it would have meant that Scotland, who lost 3-1 to rivals England in a friendly on Tuesday, would have sealed their place at the finals in Germany.
Now, Odegaard’s attention turns to maintaining Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the season, with the Gunners travelling to Everton on Sunday.
MORE : Andre Onana, Bukayo Saka, Mohamed Salah and Martin Odegaard among 30 nominees for 2023 Ballon d’Or
MORE : Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale hits back at Harry Maguire criticism after England beat Scotland
MORE : Arsenal defender William Saliba admits he was ‘lazy’ and ‘sulked’ at old club
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
