Martin Odegaard’s Norway boss ‘happy’ star is joining Arsenal but sends transfer warning

Arsenal: Arteta believes he will have ‘happier squad’

Martin Odegaard has been backed to succeed at Arsenal by his international manager Stale Solbakken. Odegaard is reportedly closing in on a loan move to Arsenal from Real Madrid. The attacking midfielder wants to leave Real on loan and was linked with a return to Real Sociedad.

However, it appears Arsenal have won the race for the 22-year-old’s signature.

Solbakken, who only became Norway manager in December, believes the move proves Odegaard has plenty of confidence in himself.

He reckons Odegaard will fit well in Mikel Arteta’s side.

But Solbakken has warned the player of the different style of football he will face in the Premier League.

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Solbakken told Norwegian outlet VG: “First of all if it happens I think it shows that Martin has an extremely high confidence in himself, considering he is going into a new league and a team that, although they have improved a lot lately, had some good wins and climbed the table…

“But it is a great team with great traditions that has underperformed for a while now, they are rebuilding.

“I think they have a very good manager. I like Arteta and the way he tries to set up the team.

“But he is not coming to a club that is a self-propelled machine in any kind of way.

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“He is coming to another culture, another country, a different tempo.

“It shows that the boy has great belief in what he is doing. That makes me happy.

“I think the way Arsenal play can fit him very well. They play different formations and a kind of football that should suit him.

“He can also play in different roles in the midfield depending on which formation Arteta chooses.

“He will also get runs in front of him so that he can make assists and be a good team player.”

Odegaard has been starved of first-team action at Real this season.

He has made just nine appearances in all competitions and has played just five minutes of competitive football since early December.

Meanwhile, Arsenal announced the signing of Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan on a loan deal until the end of the season on Friday morning.

Ryan will provide backup to Gunners No 1 Bernd Leno, with Runar Alex Runarsson potentially leaving on loan.

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