Martin Odegaard gives Arsenal contract update: ‘There is no stress’

Martin Odegaard says he is happy at Arsenal and hopes to stay “for a long time to come”, but has revealed that talks over a new contract have not started.

The captain’s deal runs until June 2028, leaving just over 18 months, according to Metro. Arsenal are reported to want an extension agreed before he enters the final year.

What Martin Odegaard said about his Arsenal future

Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster TV 2 on international duty, Odegaard was calm and clear about where he stands.

“I’m happy and hope I can stay there [at Arsenal] for a long time to come, but we haven’t started on that yet,” he said, in comments translated from Norwegian.

He also made it clear the situation is not weighing on him. “There is no stress about it,” he said. “I am where I am, and I am super happy with it.”

His public comments emphasise his happiness at Arsenal. But the admission that talks have not begun is the part that will keep people talking until a deal is done.

A captain back to his best

The timing is interesting, because Odegaard is playing as well as he has for some time. Last season was a struggle, with recurring knee injuries disrupting his campaign, and he scored just once in 36 appearances.

This term he already has five goals in all competitions, three of them in the Premier League. That is a big shift for a player whose role was being questioned.

His latest was the most important. He struck in the 72nd minute to beat Hull 1-0 at the Emirates, reacting first after Konstantinos Tzolakis saved from Noni Madueke. You can relive it in our Arsenal 1-0 Hull match report.

Paul Merson was full of praise afterwards, telling Sky Sports that Odegaard had been “like a new signing” and “the man so far”. We covered that verdict in our piece on Merson and Odegaard.

“He’s been outstanding. He’s the only one really that moves it quickly,” Merson said.

That is the point. When Arsenal get bogged down in possession, Odegaard is the player who speeds things up and finds the gap.

What has been reported about Bayern Munich

Sky Germany reported on 29 October that Odegaard could envisage playing for Bayern Munich and that there had been contact between the parties over previous years.

However, the report also stressed that he was not among Bayern’s priority transfer targets. It claimed Arsenal would consider a sale next summer if an extension could not be agreed. Neither club has announced a deal.

That October report also claimed preliminary informal contract discussions had taken place between Odegaard and Arsenal. The captain’s latest comments to TV 2 are that talks have not started.

What it means for the title race

The Hull win was Arsenal’s ninth from ten league games and took them to 27 points. They now sit five points clear of Brighton, with Manchester City losing three in a row.

In a title race, stability matters. Arsenal will not want a contract question hanging over their captain through the spring.

First comes a tough return after the break. Arsenal visit Newcastle on Saturday 21 November, where a Newcastle side looking for a response will be waiting. Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and Manchester City follow.

Norway duty comes first

Before any of that, Odegaard leads Norway against Wales in Oslo tonight, with a 5pm UK kick-off. Norway lost 2-1 in Cardiff in October and have lost their last three Nations League games, leaving them bottom of Group A4, level on points with Wales.

James Chettle’s verdict

Arsenal should move quickly. Odegaard is 27, back in form and still central to how Mikel Arteta’s side play.

He has said he wants to stay, and there is no sign he is in a hurry to go anywhere. A new deal before the summer would end the speculation and let everyone focus on the title defence.

For more on the race at the top, keep up with our Premier League coverage.