Arsenal loanee Martin Odegaard has revealed all on signing for Real Madrid as a starstruck 16-year-old in a new interview - and took the time to laud Mikel Arteta.
The Norway international joined Arsenal in January on a short-term deal until the end of the season and didn't hold back when lavishing praise on the man responsible for luring him to the Emirates.
Odegaard has also insisted Arsenal will return to the top-level 'very soon' despite the club's lowly Premier League position.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a fine start to his loan spell but was forced to seek a move away from his parent club due to a lack of first-team action.
He has now opened up on his wild experience signing for Madrid back in January 2015, and admitted the daunting task to impress was lost on him due to his age.
'It was a bit crazy at that time, to be honest,' Odegaard told BT Sport. 'I didn't realise because I was so young.
'When you have Real Madrid behind your name, it's always going to be high expectations.
'To be honest, I think my expectations of myself have always been bigger than the expectations from the outside.
'For me, the hardest part is to please myself and not everyone else.'
Odegaard was left spoiled for choice for his next move after dropping down the pecking order under Zinedine Zidane and chose to join Arsenal.
Sportsmail revealed in January that Arteta was able to convince Odegaard to sign after laying out his plans for him.
And the player himself has now confirmed the Arsenal head coach proved the decisive factor.
When questioned on what drew him to the club, Odegaard said: 'First of all, the manager and his ideas, the way he wants to play football.
'He's a top coach, he's really intelligent. He's really smart. There are so many things to learn from him, so I'm just happy to be here.'
Odegaard is yet to register his maiden goal or assist in England, but has impressed in the No 10 role.
His sights are now set on helping Arsenal back into the Champions League - and the youngster is insistent the process will not take long.
He said: 'I think the club is in the process now where things have changed a little bit but, from what I'm seeing here and what I've experienced at the club, I'm sure that the club will be back at the top very soon.'
ficbcdnpr
0
We want this line up !!
[image]
switch Hazard for Odegod
fudbcios
0
Arteta must stop using this guy he weak.
Have played football before i don't think so
bigunitedfan
0
Arteta must stop using this guy he weak.
u crazy
Miockmnt
3
he plays like the old man ozil, just passed the ball around. no penetration
luubnptz
0
I just hope that he plays a forward pass or even take a shot on goal. All I've seen so far is, sideways and backways passes. I'll admit he looks neat and tidy but needs to be a danger going forward
the problem is arsenal style of play.., he will be better in a counter attacking team, not arsenal that all they do is pass outside the box
saptarshighosh
2
he wont real madrid wont sell him
Better to say Arsenal can't buy him[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Beybdimnpy
4
Arteta must stop using this guy he weak.
JuanDuque
2
just hope to seeing him stay with us permanently. We can be back at the top of the table
he wont real madrid wont sell him
hicimoryz
0
you can dream as much as you can
tell him again
Rid0m
0
[image]
nice💯
Beccikmtu
0
I just hope that he plays a forward pass or even take a shot on goal. All I've seen so far is, sideways and backways passes. I'll admit he looks neat and tidy but needs to be a danger going forward
you are right
Azeem2
3
just hope to seeing him stay with us permanently. We can be back at the top of the table
Zahrahali
9
GJGREGJO
0
We want this line up !!
[image]
you can dream as much as you can
Ayaanzzy_10
0
We want this line up !!
[image]
lol
descarts
2
We want this line up !!
tamcdkmst
6
I just hope that he plays a forward pass or even take a shot on goal. All I've seen so far is, sideways and backways passes. I'll admit he looks neat and tidy but needs to be a danger going forward
world/football
3
Good player
Zubadint
1
Welcome to Arsenal Odegaard, your dreams will come true. However, the club has still a longer journey than you think, in my opinion.
madridrealindia
5
ur future lies at RM....u were ahead of others loanees of RM Becoz the management wanted you ...but after this u are again among the loanees n u have to prove again to be in the position u were.....patience was required Zidane was not unfair to you .... injuries were also had their toll .....but at last u will be a great RM player in future
Usmanvictor
1
Ødegaard to Zidane and Arteta be like...