Martin Odegaard has signed a new five-year contract that will keep him at Arsenal until the summer of 2028.
The 24-year-old Norwegian midfielder made his way to the Gunners from Real Madrid in January 2021 on loan before committing to a four-year contract that August, with a 12-month club option.
Odegaard has made 112 appearances for Arsenal across all leagues, contributing 15 assists and 27 goals.
Odegaard said: “Signing a new contract was a really easy decision for me for lots of reasons. Mainly what we are doing right now as a club is special and I want to be a part of that.
“I’m really excited for what’s to come here. I’ve found a place where I can be really settled and call my home.
“My story is a bit different maybe as I moved around different clubs since I was 16. At Arsenal, since the first day, I’ve felt great and this is definitely my home now.
“I just want to say thanks to everyone working at the club and of course, our fantastic supporters. I will continue to give everything to bring success to this club in the years to come.”
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the north London derby at home to Tottenham on Sunday Mikel Arteta said of Odegaard’s new deal: “It’s great news for the club and great news for the team.
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“I’m really happy for him. It just shows there are many ways to make it. At the end it’s about finding a place where you are comfortable and valued and you can express your talent. He’s loved by everybody.
“At a very early age he had huge expectations. He made his debut with the national team at 15, he played with five different teams in three different countries and that’s a lot. Martin is who is he is today because of what he’s been through in those years.
“You notice him around the building all the time because he’s doing the right things. When he needs to get into fun, he’s quite funny. I’m really happy to have him as a captain.”
First Gabriel Martinelli, then Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, and now Martin Odegaard. Arsenal have signed long-term contracts with four of their arguably most important players in the past nine months.
Their recent development has been greatly aided by their effectiveness off the field. A few years ago, Arsenal’s response to these issues was, at best, disorganized. Due to bad choices and ill-conceived squad building, they had to cancel a number of player contracts in order to release players.
But now under Arteta’s control, things seem to move smoothly for the Gunners both on and off the field.
