Martin Odegaard has highlighted Mikel Arteta’s dilemma over David Luiz – by claiming Arsenal The defender is “ruthless” in training.
Luiz’s contract expires this summer, and Arteta must decide whether to give the veteran center back a new deal for next season.
The 33-year-old brings years of Premier League Experience a former title winner with Chelsea But his campaign was spoiled at times because of the kind of mistakes that plagued him during his career.
Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn did Arteta urged to retain Louise For another season so that his young players can learn from the Brazilian.
Odegaard, the 22-year-old midfielder, has made clear the role his teammate plays as captain within the team.
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Asked to be named the best Arsenal defender, on loan real Madrid The man replied, “I’d like to say David Luiz.
“When you see him in training every day, he is a great guy, a great captain and he’s very important to us.”
The attacking midfielder said Luiz is happy to be around the team – but he insists he always means work when it comes time to enter the field.
“He is a wonderful man, happy and smiling, telling jokes. But when we are on the field there is another face,” said the Norwegian international.
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“That’s what he liked the most about him, when he gets on the pitch, he changes his mindset to be totally focused and ruthless.
“He’s not a nice guy anymore!”
Odegaard has been impressed since joining Arsenal on loan in January, having blossomed in the squad alongside rising stars Bocayo Saka and Emil Smith Rowe.
But he advised another young player of a big future after watching 19-year-old Gabriel Martinelli close to training.
“Obviously we have Bocayo and Emil and they are already playing a lot, but the player who hasn’t played much lately is Gabriel Martinelli.
“When you see him training every day, he is a really talented player with a lot of qualities, so I think he is definitely the player of the future.”