Mikel Arteta has explained how he has been paying extra attention to Martin Odegaard in Arsenal training but the Norwegian's efforts could take three months to become apparent.
Since he made the switch from Real Madrid on a permanent basis last summer, Odegaard has for the most part impressed for the Gunners and contributed a decent amount in terms of goal-scoring with six strikes to his name from midfield. Arsenal fans were first introduced to the Norwegian when he joined on loan mid-way through the last campaign.
Having liked what he witnessed, Arteta opted to part ways with £30million to lure the midfielder from Madrid as part of what was an incredibly hectic summer transfer window of incomings for the Gunners. It has proven to be an inspired decision, but as the Arsenal boss explained there is plenty more still to come.
Speaking to Norwegian outlet TV2, the Gunners manager shed light on the kind of training Odegaard has recently undergone in his quest to better himself. Arteta is working incredibly closely specifically with Odegaard.
"What we are working on now, you will see in three months or six months. What Martin is doing now, you do not see on the field now. We see it in three months, six months or a year," Arteta added.
"Right now you may see the results of some of what he has been working on for the last six months. People said that he was unstable, that he could not do this and that, but then he filled out the form to be ready now."
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The 23-year-old donned the armband for the Gunners for the first time during Saturday's away defeat by Southampton and has been touted as a potential candidate to take over as skipper from next season onwards.
Pressed for comment as to whether Odegaard could one day captain Arsenal, Arteta told reporters: "He certainly has all the qualities to do that, absolutely. Talking to his national team coach and how highly they speak of him. He walks through the corridor and everybody loves him.
"He is such a nice, humble guy and he leads with the way he is. It is very natural for him and that will come." The Gunners manager also explained how Odegaard "represents everything we want in this club – he is a good option [for the captaincy]."
The playmaker is already the captain for his national side in a team that includes a big personality like Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland.
