Martin Odegaard is a Gunner until the end of the season.

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MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP

Norwegian attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard (22) has been loaned by Real Madrid to Arsenal for the end of the season, the London club announced on Wednesday.

Considered from an early age as one of the most promising players in world football, Odegaard had made a very convincing stint with Real Sociedad, to whom he was loaned last season.

But in a very supplied sector of play in Madrid, he had only nine appearances since the start of the season.

His arrival in London corresponds to an urgent need for Arsenal: The Gunners, 8th in the Premier League but who remain on five wins and a draw in the league, badly need more creativity in the midfield.

“Martin is a player (who), although still young, has been playing at a very high level for a while.

It will provide us with quality offensive options, ”said coach Mikel Arteta, quoted in the press release.

Zidane says he believes in him at Real

Odegaard had become in May 2014, at age 15, the youngest professional player in Norway, then the youngest Norwegian international (25 caps) in August of the same year, before signing in January 2015 to Real Madrid, also becoming the most young club player.

From the 2017/2018 season, he was loaned to the Netherlands (Heerenveen and Vitesse Arnhem), then to Real Sociedad, which he led to a Spanish Cup final and a qualification in the Europa League in scoring seven goals and giving 9 assists in 36 games.

"Martin is a valued player at Real Madrid, I'm sure he will triumph at Real," Merengue coach Zinedine Zidane said two weeks ago.

It is true that he has not played much lately, but the idea is that he continues to work hard as he does and minutes, he will have some (…) In the career of 'one player, a lot can happen, but I feel good, committed and focused ”.

Mostly focused on his flight to the English capital for now.

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