After Arteta: Arsenal are expected to agree new deal with ‘exceptional’ player

Arsenal are moving to secure another huge piece of their long-term project, with captain Martin Odegaard expected to follow Mikel Arteta by signing a new contract at the Emirates.

Arteta has already committed his future to the Premier League champions, and attention is now turning towards the core group of players who helped Arsenal finally end their long wait for the title last season. Odegaard sits right at the heart of that group.

The Norwegian’s current deal runs until 2028, so there is no immediate panic, but Arsenal clearly have no interest in allowing his contract to become a talking point.

Odegaard wants to extend Arsenal stay

According to TEAMtalk’s report on Arsenal’s contract plans, Odegaard is keen to commit his long-term future to Arsenal, with talks over improved terms progressing positively.

Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber are also expected to hold discussions over new contracts as Arsenal look to protect the spine of Arteta’s title-winning squad.

Odegaard has returned to his best this season after dealing with injury problems during the previous campaign. More importantly, he remains Arsenal’s captain and one of the players around whom Arteta continues to build the team.

There has never been any serious indication that the 27-year-old wants to leave, with both Arsenal and the player understood to be happy with the direction of the project.

Arteta praise shows why keeping Odegaard is crucial

Arteta has never hidden how highly he rates his captain.

Speaking about Odegaard previously, the Arsenal boss said: “He’s been exceptional for us.” Arteta also praised his daily contribution, leadership and influence on the pitch, describing what he brings to the side as “exceptional.”

Those comments were published by Arsenal’s official website.

That makes a new contract feel almost inevitable.

Odegaard is not simply Arsenal’s most creative midfielder. He represents Arteta’s era more than almost anyone else in the squad, having grown from a Real Madrid loanee into a Premier League-winning captain.

Arsenal are now trying to turn one title into a sustained period of success. Keeping Arteta was step one.

Keeping Odegaard, Rice and Timber tied down for their prime years would be another major statement that this team intends to stay together and keep winning.