By David Awopetu
Arsenal has completed the signing of Martin Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid until the end of the season.
The 22-year-old midfielder made it clear he wanted to leave in January in order to play regular first-team football, having played just nine times in all competitions for Real Madrid this season.
Mikel Arteta will be able to call upon Odegaard for Saturday’s clash with Manchester United with Odegaard to wear the number 11 shirt at the Emirates.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: “Martin is of course a player we all know very well. Although still young, he has been playing at the top level for a while.”
Arteta said Odegaard will “provide us with quality offensive options” and the Norway international could feature on Saturday in the Premier League against Manchester United.
Speaking about Arteta, Odegaard said: “He seems like a top manager and I liked his ideas, the way he sees football and also the way he is. He gave me a great feeling and that was important for me to come here. He was crucial.
“I think it’s a club that really suits me well.”
Arsenal technical director Edu said the club had brought in an “exceptional talent”.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague said Real Madrid blocked Odegaard going back to Sociedad because they wanted him to move to the Premier League club.
His arrival at Emirates Stadium comes after the departure of playmaker Mesut Ozil to Fenerbahce.
Odegaard joined Real Madrid from Stromsgodset in January 2015 and has played nine times for Real this season.
