Mikel Arteta says that a decision on the futures of Martin Odegaard and Dani Ceballos will be taken at the end of the season, but admits he has been “really happy” with both players during their time at Arsenal.
Ceballos and Odegaard are both on loan from Real Madrid this year, with Ceballos currently on his second one-year spell with the Gunners.
With the coronavirus pandemic negatively affecting the club’s finances, Arteta admits that Arsenal have had to be creative with their recruitment.
“With the financial position that we’ve been in, obviously we’ve had to find different ways to try to recruit good players to the club,” Arteta told reporters.
“As well it gives you the opportunity to see with close eyes on a daily basis how those players can improve the team, how they can adapt to this league.
“In both cases, I am really happy with both of them. It’s a decision that has to be decided at the end of the season because in this case it is the same club involved with both of them, and I will have these conversations.
“I enjoy having Martin with us in the team. He was very proud [to be named Norway captain]. I am very proud for him to achieve that because I think he merits his character and what he’s doing here. Really happy for him.”
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Odegaard has impressed in north London since completing his January loan move, though no permanent option was included in the deal.
The Norway international will have two years remaining on his Real Madrid contract when the loan deal is completed, as will teammate Ceballos.
A permanent move for the Spain international would likely be the easier to complete of the duo, with expectations high on Odegaard’s future in the Spanish capital, and his price tag likely to be inflated after his impressive displays for the Gunners.