Ronaldo’s verdict on Odegaard after loan move to Arsenal officially confirmed

Cristiano Ronaldo has already given his verdict on Martin Odegaard as he prepares to start life as an Arsenal player.

The Gunners confirmed the arrival of the Norway international on a loan from Real Madrid until the end of the season.

Mikel Arteta is said to have played a major role, calling the midfielder's father and convincing him of the project at the Emirates.

The Spaniard was desperate to bolster his midfield options after the success of Emile Smith Rowe.

The 20-year-old has been sensational since his first match against Chelsea on Boxing Day.

And Arteta yearned for more of the same and Odegaard can provide even more creativity to Arsenal.

The playmaker already has one famous fan in the shape of Ronaldo, who knows him from his time at Real Madrid.

Back in 2015, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner named the youngster as one of the best up and coming talents.

"You see many players with potential," he said at the time.

"I will mention Martin Odegaard of Madrid for example, at 16 he's still young but you can see he's a very good player,"

Now 22, the Norwegian has a point to prove to Zinedine Zidane, who was reluctant to utilise his wide array of talents and preferring to go with more experienced stars.

And he admitted that Arteta was a major factor in his decision to move to north London until the end of the season.

"I spoke to him before coming here, of course," Odegaard said.

"That was very important for me and 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 every time you go to a new place, you want to make sure that it feels good and that there is a plan. But I think everything here just seems good.

"I like the club and I always liked the way that the club wants to play.

"Everything about the club and now how the manager wants to play, I think it's a club that really suits me well. So I think it's a good match."

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