Martin Odegaard’s contract renewal at Arsenal is met with joy as Piers Morgan leads tributes to the club captain on social media

Arsenal received a huge boost just days before the North London Derby when captain Martin Odegaard signed a new long-term contract with the club.

The Norwegian midfielder was initially loaned to the Emirates during the January transfer window in 2021, before making his move permanent in the summer of the same year.

Since his arrival, the 24-year-old has gone from strength to strength and pundits and fans alike have raved about his achievements.

On signing his deal, Odegaard said: ‘It was an easy decision for me, ‘I felt connected and at home here from day one. And I was also moving around a lot and having trouble really settling down, so I felt like I needed a place to unwind and find some kind of home.”

And given the fans’ reaction to Odegaard extending his stay at the Emirates Stadium until at least 2028, it’s easy to see why he feels so at home.

The decision to extend was met with controversy on social media led by vocal Arsenal fan Piers Morgan.

He posted on X, formally known as Twitter: ‘Arsenal captain signs new five-year contract. Great news about a brilliant player and leader.” Includes three clapping hands emojis.

‘Best captain since Thierry Henry or even Patrick Vieira’

Following the announcement, Arsenal fans were quick to express their delight at the announcement.

One user wrote: ‘Martin Odegaard leads Arsenal to the Premier League and Champions League titles. Dear Captain.’

While another tweeted: ‘I couldn’t ask for a better person to lead our young guns. First on the field, last off and always leading with confidence and composure. You can’t help but be excited about the years ahead.”

A third wrote: ‘Best captain since Thierry Henry or even Patrick Vieira.’

The midfielder has had a great start to the new season, scoring three goals in six games so far.

Odegaard scored in the Gunners’ 4-0 win over PSV in the Champions League earlier this week.

‘Arsenal legend. Madrid’s loss is Arsenal’s gain.

“He’s now worth 200 million,” another user posted.

“I speak for everyone when I say he is better than Mesut Ozil,” said another.

‘Odegaard is easily the best midfielder in the world’

The Gunners uploaded a touching video to X, captioned: ‘A place where Martin belongs.’

In it, Odegaard talks about his rise to the top, after which the midfielder says that he has found a ‘football family’ at the Emirates.

Throughout the video, the midfielder can be seen laughing with several Arsenal fans as he looks happy to put pen to paper on a new deal.

One Arsenal fan seemed delighted by the news, commenting on the message: ‘We are about to dominate the league for the next decade.’

While another posted: ‘The best number 8 in the world.’

One fan shared his reaction to this and said: ‘You definitely have to smile when you watch this video.’

Another user posted: ‘Martin Odegaard can stay here as long as he wants.

“There’s no one better than him when he’s in shape.”