Arsenal ‘want to tie down Martin Odegaard to a new long term deal’… with extending their captain’s future one of Mikel Arteta’s top priorities this season

Arsenal are reportedly hoping to extend captain Martin Odegaard’s contract.

The Norway international has become a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s side since arriving in North London in January 2021 and will be vital to their pursuit of the Premier League title.

After initially signing a six-month loan deal with Real Madrid, the Gunners spent £30m to keep Odegaard on a permanent basis the following summer.

The 24-year-old’s current contract runs until June 2025 and Arsenal are keen to start talks to extend his contract. as reported by Fabrizio Romano.

He suggested getting the Arsenal captain to sign a new long-term contract will be a “priority” for Arteta’s side for the rest of the year.

Mikel Arteta is hopeful that the Norwegian will extend his current contract, which runs until 2025

The 24-year-old has proven to be a vital figure for the Gunners, contributing 15 goals and 8 assists during the 2022-23 Premier League season.

While Arteta’s side fell short of their ultimate goal of clinching the title, there is hope that with Odegaard leading the team, they can win the competition this year.

The former Real Madrid player was appointed Arsenal captain at the start of last season after quickly becoming an integral part of the squad and inheriting the armband from Alexandre Lacazette.

Arteta will now be keen to ensure his key player’s future is in the Emirates after both Bukayo Saka and William Saliba signed new contracts in the summer.

Odegaard played the full 90 minutes as Arsenal kicked off the new season with a 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Odegaard scored 15 goals and assisted eight in the Premier League last season