Speaking after Arsenal’s defeat to Southampton, Mikel Arteta was quizzed on the club’s pursuit of Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard.
Odegaard is on the verge of becoming an Arsenal player on-loan until the end of the campaign, according to Sky Sports.
The Gunners could have done with some of the Norwegian’s creative ingenuity in their efforts to break down Southampton’s back-line this afternoon.
As is often the case when players are being heavily linked with clubs, Arteta has been quizzed on Arsenal’s interest in the 22-year-old when speaking in wake of the game.
![[FILE] Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (L) runs with the ball as Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel closes in during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/000_97B779-scaled-e1703231851386-120x86.jpg "Liverpool host Arsenal in battle for Premier League Christmas No. 1 1")
![[FILES] Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gestures on the touchline during the English League Cup semi-final first leg football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on January 13, 2022. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/000_9W63G7-897x598-1-120x86.jpg "Pochettino advised me not to go into coaching, says Arteta 3")
Arteta was asked directly how close Odegaard was to becoming an Arsenal player, with media reports, such as the aforementioned one published by Sky Sports, suggesting that the deal is closing in on completion.
It’s unclear whether Arteta was withholding information, or is genuinely in the dark at current, but the Spaniard did not give a definitive update on negotiations, forcing Gunners fans to wait patiently for updates on this front.
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