Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
Arteta, like Wenger, gets rough diamonds sparkling
Evening Standard
|May 14, 2024
JUST over three years ago, Martin Odegaard joined a Zoom call that would change his career.
On the call was Mikel Arteta and, after a passionate pitch, Odegaard decided to leave Real Madrid and join Arsenal on loan.
That move became permanent six months later, and this weekend the Norwegian can complete a remarkable rise by captaining Arsenal to their first title in 20 years.
That would inevitably lead to comparisons with the Invincibles side, who will be in attendance at Emirates Stadium on Sunday to mark the anniversary of their triumph.
Odegaard would not look out of place in that team, and his journey is in keeping with many from that great side that went unbeaten in 2003-04.
Arteta, like Arsene Wenger, has shown a skill in maximising unfulfilled talent and piecing broken wonderkids back together, with 25-year-old Odegaard a prime example.
The midfielder was tipped for the top from an early age, making his Norway debut aged 15, but his career stalled after he joined Madrid in 2015.
This story is from the May 14, 2024 edition of Evening Standard.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Evening Standard
The London Standard
Enter the Tardis of fun and chaos
Some years ago in a small town near Tours, France, I went with old pals to the only bar open on a Sunday evening.
1 mins
November 27, 2025
The London Standard
HOW LABRINTH ESCAPED HIMSELF
Winning an Emmy for Euphoria and working with Beyoncé has seen the star take America by storm, but he's also faced darkness — and now recorded the best music of his career.
5 mins
November 27, 2025
The London Standard
It's joking aside for George Clooney while Jeremy Corbyn and Jean Campbell get wickedly sinful
Some A-listers aren't on social media to protect their privacy or their mental health.
1 min
November 27, 2025
The London Standard
Model Jourdan Dunn loves a candlelit date at the Dover and checks in for pure luxury at the Peninsula
Home is... West London, always has been and always will be.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
The London Standard
A day in the life Therabody founder Jason Wersland
The inventor kickstarts his day with a beach run, loves red light therapy and believes in meditating his way to success
3 mins
November 27, 2025
The London Standard
At the table Fancy a five-hour queue for a pizza the action?
Only you know whether pizza is worth queuing five hours for, whether it is worth sleepless nights sitting in the torpid blue light of a smartphone screen searching in vain for a reservation that will never materialise. This is how it is with the Marlborough.
3 mins
November 27, 2025
The London Standard
THEATRE'S MOST TALENTED STARS IN THE SPOTLIGHT FOR OUR AWARDS
Cate Blanchett, Tom Hiddleston and Rachel Zegler are shortlisted as the Standard's celebration of the stage returns.
5 mins
November 27, 2025
The London Standard
Question over Odegaard’s return after Eze’s statement derby show
The Arsenal captain faces a fight to get back in the side after summer signing dazzles.
2 mins
November 27, 2025
The London Standard
A London family home for under £500k?
YES, INDEED THESE FIVE POSTCODES OFFER WHOLE HOUSES AND ATTRACTIVE LOCAL AMENITIES
4 mins
November 27, 2025
The London Standard
Angry, intolerant, divided and priced-out: why I fear the Zoomers
To understand the man, you have to know what was happening in the world when he was 20
3 mins
November 27, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size