‘It’s not me’ - Martin Odegaard responds to Arsenal contract question during international duty

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has responded to a contract question during international duty with Norway.

Odegaard is proving to be one of the bargains of the decade for Arsenal having arrived on a deal worth just over £30million from Real Madrid. The midfielder has become one of the best in his position in the Premier League, while he has also shown his leadership abilities on and off the pitch, becoming the club’s captain.

The former Los Blancos star has a contract with Arsenal until 2025 as things stand, and the Gunners are without doubt keen to extend the deal, though they are protected by a club option to unilaterally extend the deal by a year, which can be activated within the final year of the contract.

In the meantime, Odegaard is concentrating on his football and attempting to help Arsenal go one better in the Premier League title race this season. The 24-year-old scored for the Gunners against Manchester United ahead of jetting off for international duty, and while representing his country, he was asked about his current contract situation at the Emirates Stadium.

He told Nettavisen: “I don’t have much to say, apart from the fact that I am very happy at Arsenal and I hope I can be there for a long time. Beyond that, I have no comment right now. Now, it is the national team that is in focus.”

He added: “I have a few years left on the contract, I’m fine and I hope to be at the club for a long time to come. I have not spoken to them, that is not my task. To be honest, I don’t know how the situation is right now. Well, it’s not me who controls.”

Norway have a tough job to do if they want to qualify for next year’s European Championships, currently two points behind Spain in second having played a game more and eight points behind group leaders Scotland.