Mikel Arteta has said he is happy that Arsenal have signed Martin Odegaard, but expressed surprise that his team’s Premier League opener against Brentford has not been postponed following a recent coronavirus outbreak at the club.
Odegaard spent the second half of last season on loan in north London, making 20 appearances and scoring two goals and two assists.
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Arteta has long been looking for a creative midfielder and after considering moves for James Maddison and Philippe Coutinho, Arsenal chose instead to sign the Norwegian permanently.
Before his side’s match against Chelsea on Sunday, Arteta said (via James Benge): “He made us better. We needed more options, alternatives, creativity and players who can be role models in this football club. He has a unique talent for how we want “I’m glad the club has made an effort and we have him here.”
Odegaard will be joined by another newcomer, Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, in the near future with Arteta confirming that paperwork will be completed on a £ 30m contract.
Asked if Ramsdale would be the club’s number one stop this season, Arteta said: “Aaron is a really talented young goalkeeper with a lot of experience. He will bring competition that is what we want. Healthy competition, quality competition. We wanted a goalkeeper there and we ended up with Aaron. “
He added: “Give him some time. He is a young goalkeeper with great potential.”
Arteta also addressed the club’s coronavirus situation. Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre -Emerick Aubameyang and Willian – as well as Alex Runar Runarsson – all missed their side’s Premier League curtain raises against Brentford. It later emerged that this was due to the fact that the four tested positive for Covid-19.
Arteta admitted that he did not have a major update on his condition and also expressed surprise that the Premier League did not postpone the match.
“I do not know if they will train in a few hours, I do not know if they will be able to play this weekend.”
He added: “Yes. I was surprised [the game went ahead] but the regulators decided that the best thing was not to postpone the game. “
