Arsenal handed huge boost with star player close to signing new deal

The Premier League returns on Saturday with Arsenal travelling to face struggling Everton at Goodison Park.

The Gunners have enjoyed a strong start to the new season, winning three of their four games so far to leave them fifth in the table.

Manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping that this season his side can go one better than last term, when they topped the table for several months before ultimately being leapfrogged by eventual champions Manchester City.

Ahead of the game at Goodison Park, it appears that the North London outfit have been handed a huge boost.

As per Fabrizio Romano, the club have received positive feedback from midfielder Martin Odegaard and his representatives as they look to tie the player down to a new contract.

The 24-year-old joined Arsenal from Spanish giants Real Madrid back in 2021 and has since been instrumental for Arteta’s side.

The Norwegian has made 110 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions, scoring 26 goals and providing 15 assists.

Odegaard could soon commit his long-term future to Arsenal

Arsenal are therefore keen to agree a new long-term deal to reflect his importance to Arteta’s side, and Romano claims that the player himself has always wanted to stay put in the capital.

He also suggests that it is now simply a matter of time before an agreement is reached.

Odegaard’s current deal is set to run until 2025, but those in charge of the North London club are keen to ensure he stays put and are therefore trying to reach an agreement over a long-term extension.

This season, the Norway international has started all four of Arsenal’s Premier League matches, scoring twice.

Before the start of last season, Arteta handed Odegaard the club captaincy, and the midfielder’s leadership helped the Gunners to mount their title challenge last term.