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Martin Odegaard is ‘really happy’ Arsenal have finally signed £54m player, he ‘can’t wait’ to play with him

Jamie Brown

Mon 7 July 2025 19:45, UK

Arsenal have now completed two signings this summer, and that number is likely to rise over the next week or so.

Andrea Berta has been working overtime to get the players in for Mikel Arteta’s team to ensure the Gunners are ready to compete for the Premier League title next term.

The North London club are eager to sign some attacking players, and a deal for Viktor Gyokeres to join Arsenal is now close.

But he is not the only high-profile name to arrive at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, and Martin Odegaard has been speaking about his excitement for the latest arrival.

Martin Odegaard is very excited about Arsenal signing Martin Zubimendi

Odegaard has revealed that he is ‘really happy’ Arsenal have finally completed the deal to sign Martin Zubimendi.

The Gunners finally announced the arrival of the Spanish midfielder on Sunday, following what was a long saga to bring him to North London.

Arsenal beat Liverpool to sign Zubimendi, as the Reds pushed exceptionally hard last summer to bring him to Anfield.

TBR Football understands that Zubimendi cost Arsenal £54 million as the North London club paid just over his £51 million release clause to enable instalments.

The Arsenal captain was one of the first people to welcome the Euro 2024 winner to the club, as he expressed his delight at his former Real Sociedad teammate’s arrival.

Odegaard said: “Zubi, welcome to Arsenal, bro. It’s a shame we can’t be with you right now, but we are really happy that you’re now part of the family, and I know you’ll enjoy yourself at the club. We can’t wait to see you, play with you and drive the club forward.”

Zubimendi also praised Odegaard as he explained that he was so surprised by how hard the captain worked away from the pitch.

Arteta’s midfield is really starting to take shape now, with Zubimendi expected to partner Declan Rice and Odegaard in their strongest trio.

Martin Odegaard’s record playing alongside Martin Zubimendi

Odegaard has already played alongside Zubimendi, albeit only five matches, but the pair were teammates briefly during the Norwegian’s final season at Sociedad.

The 26-year-old was just breaking into the team at the Spanish club when Odegaard was running the show at the Anoeta Stadium.

Odegaard was excellent during the 2019/20 season as he managed an impressive seven goals and nine assists, which saw him recalled by Real Madrid.

The midfielder eventually joined Arsenal on loan in 2021, before Arteta moved to make the deal permanent the following season.