Zinedine Zidane has revealed he tried to convince Martin Odegaard to turn down a move to Arsenal and fight for his place at Real Madrid.
The Norway midfielder is currently on loan at the Emirates Stadium after joining near the end of the January transfer window in a deal lasting until the end of the season.
But, speaking ahead of Madrid's LaLiga clash against Huesca, the Madrid boss admitted it was the 22-year-old's choice to join Mikel Arteta's outfit as he sought first-team football.
'[Odegaard] wanted to leave,' Zidane said. 'We have talked about it two or three times. He is a player who wants to play.
'It was the player's demand [to leave]. I told him that he had to stay, fight, have peace of mind, because this is a long process.'
Since joining Madrid as a 16-year-old in 2015, Odegaard has struggled to break into the first-team and has spent significant time out on loan at Heerenveen, Vitesse Arnhem and, last season, at Real Sociedad.
Zidane though insisted Odegaard remain at Madrid this term though to try and force his way into the starting line-up. However he has since only played 367 minutes for the Spanish champions spread across nine games in all competitions.
'He's a player who I asked for us to bring in [after spending last season on loan at Real Sociedad],' he added.
'It has not been the case and in the end it is everyone's decision. I hope he is happy.'
Odegaard is still waiting to make his first start for the Gunners having made his debut with a seven minute cameo in the goalless draw against Manchester United in January.
He will be hoping to feature more in Arteta's plans in the future, with the Gunners in action against Aston Villa in the 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday.
jerryadekunle
0
Mr man, Did I tell you to like the comment?
e pain am๐
ruwcklpst
1
Ondegard after his first match for Arsenal
poaabeku
4
Odegaard has made the right decision to join Arsenal
Lawacklyz
3
shut up u lier
Lohaenrsyz
1
if this article is true, then that's such a stupid thing he tried, stop a talented younger player from going abroad to find playing time and better himself to stay and fight when all he does is train 100% with no game time, #selfishthinkinging
AShams
1
If you wanted him to stay simply you had to play him but instead benched you must preach what you say bald man
emondorock
0
If your face doesn't fit on your bike...Zidane way.No worries Bale will be back soon.
chilunje1
1
fool,when will we ever start building as Madrid , always playing these old guys expecting different results.
Riaaeilrtu
0
He's still being benched at Arsenal so don't rush to conclusions to things your don't understand, third game today and he still not a starter Lol!
bro he is not star player like hazard or neymar
Somak7
1
There some fans still belive in zidane ๐ Wait for today's game we will lose and the small chance of winning will a hard win and don't forget we're playing the last team on the table
we aren't fake fans like u
Roblove
1
attackers have to convert the passes to goals for midfielders to earn their reputation! that's the HUGE problem for the current real madrid because he has to score himself ๐... would arsenal guns work???
Junior2c
0
He's still being benched at Arsenal so don't rush to conclusions to things your don't understand, third game today and he still not a starter Lol!
Its normal he wont start directly. It would give a bad feeling to the Arsenal team, if the trainer have to drop a Arsenal player directly. After a week
Luaablnpst
0
zidane should have giving this chance rather than lone him, now there are lot of injuries
but better 2 remain at ars
Luaablnpst
0
why William & pepe
Luaablnpst
0
abumayang has how meny gols
I don't know but what about Rashfords outside & goals
neslnrsu
5
so that you bench him ah?
Akekala
1
you expect him to start just aftr a week of transfer๐๐ even hazard is not a starter in your team๐๐
you can't have your cake and eat it too, same thing applied to him at Madrid but yall preached like he was Maradona or something....3 games at Arsenal, no starts and busy warming the bench like at Madrid
rmcfc9
5
He hadn't played for something like 11 games in a row. What is there to fight for?
ashrazee
3
Just hear this nonsense?
Adnane_hadji
0
u want zidane to bench kroos and modric? when they r playing their best games. what if zizou played ode and made rotation and we would loose so u would still blame him. What's ur problem kid get a lifeeee
There some fans still belive in zidane ๐ Wait for today's game we will lose and the small chance of winning will a hard win and don't forget we're playing the last team on the table
Hawzy007
1
He's still being benched at Arsenal so don't rush to conclusions to things your don't understand, third game today and he still not a starter Lol!
you expect him to start just aftr a week of transfer๐๐ even hazard is not a starter in your team๐๐
m4verickplays
3
Food for thought: He is now at a different team (Arsenal) but the same problem problem persists, maybe Odegaard needs to start looking deeper to why he is not a starter instead of him and his fans busy blaming Zidane...you have to fight for your place cuz nothing is handed out for free ๐๐ฉ
nawacdkmos
0
yousless story fake plan zzzzidane sure think before you do anything you are young chaep
Josadluy
1
Cause he always beat U when ever met U. He done miracles by (this bold head). 3 UCL in row. Guardiola bold also, but the never win it twice. Bro, CALMA
Akekala
3
He's still being benched at Arsenal so don't rush to conclusions to things your don't understand, third game today and he still not a starter Lol!
nawacdkmos
0
bech of corruption too corruption
ELIKEMSAM
1
Exactly my point so you see you guys can label him stupid.
As a coach, no. he have 3 and United have 3 so equal
Looknprtyz
0
Even head is empty, no hairs ๐
ELIKEMSAM
0
And he has more UCL trophies than the Manchester clubs as a coach. so what is your point
Exactly my point so you see you guys can label him stupid.
Looknprtyz
1
Huh!! U want him to stay for what? U don't think of giving him play.. He's a talented player, very hard to find like him but u keep him on the bench, for what? To destroy his carrier? To be forgotten man? Those RM midfielders are good but they're growing old, its time to give chances to youngsters also for future, though I'm bara fans in particular i like this man
ELIKEMSAM
1
so wot?๐๐๐and where is he now
He's 3rd with equal points with the 2nd on the league table and Arsenal in 10th. I hope you see the difference now...?
Vasbemoy
0
Aston villa
Jonilmoz
0
stupid Coach
viwabdlry
1
zidane you don't give the players game time and you them too stay
alot of talented players on the bench due too the coach l new signings other point there's talent in the youth academy
rashkamario10
0
Maybe he is undercovered Gooner....
zukackptu
0
No love lost Zizu but Odegaard needs playing time
Mahmud19
1
Shut up you arrogant liar
Sahadopz
1
abumayang has how meny gols
Mazcklpst
1
Zidane is lying lying lying... Again
rehaekorty
0
coz Zidane is empty inside his bald head
rehaekorty
0
coz Zidane wanted to destroy odegaard.
BayuPermanaPutra
0
good odegaard dont trust that bald
YoungMakito10
1
zidane is freaking telling lairs
Sozekr
0
It seems Zizou has a little lost his mind why taunt a youngster to this level while he was there he was just warming him up the sidelines after he dared to tell him to stay. Is it really normal?
rettro
0
Please take a minute and think nicely,,,,madrid has alot of stars and odegaard staying at madrid wouldnt earn him a place
What ! when did I say he shouldn't have moved ?
rettro
0
you should give mustafi game time before you criticize zizou
Well Mustafi is no longer an Arsenal player so how is he going to get game time
Jieaclmou
1
โThe Football association have determined........... that was a lieโ ๐
KING_MAAANDI
0
u want zidane to bench kroos and modric? when they r playing their best games. what if zizou played ode and made rotation and we would loose so u would still blame him. What's ur problem kid get a lifeeee
Yes true.. And thats why Ode saw he wouldn't get a chance with the experienced players in form and he left for loan..
ashamza9
2
u want zidane to bench kroos and modric? when they r playing their best games. what if zizou played ode and made rotation and we would loose so u would still blame him. What's ur problem kid get a lifeeee
Is he not losing till date? How could he be a future super star without trial?