Martin Ødegaard has addressed speculation surrounding his Arsenal future, insisting he is happy at the club and hopes to remain in north London for years to come.
The Arsenal captain has just over 18 months remaining on his current contract, which runs until the summer of 2028. Despite growing interest from Bayern Munich, the Norway international says there is no immediate pressure to resolve his situation.
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Ødegaard wants to stay at Arsenal
Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster TV 2 while away on international duty, Ødegaard confirmed that discussions over a new deal have not yet begun.
“I’m happy and hope I can be there for a long time to come, but so far we haven’t started on that,” he said.
The midfielder was also asked whether he wanted his future settled sooner. His response suggested the situation is not causing him concern.
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“There is no stress about it. I am where I am, and I am super happy with it. Things are going well, and it is not something I am stressed about,” Ødegaard added.
He reiterated that he is enjoying life at Arsenal and wants to remain with the club for the long term.
Bayern Munich interest adds uncertainty
Ødegaard’s comments come after Sky Germany reported that Bayern Munich could be an option for the midfielder in the future.
The report said the German club and Ødegaard have had contact over the years, although Bayern are not currently treating him as a priority transfer target. It also claimed Arsenal would consider their position next summer if an agreement over a contract extension cannot be reached.
Those reports have not resulted in a confirmed offer or transfer agreement. Ødegaard’s latest comments, meanwhile, underline his preference to continue at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal captain focused on his football
The 27-year-old’s contract situation has attracted attention as he looks to put last season’s injury problems behind him. Ødegaard said those issues affected his rhythm, but that he is now feeling much better physically.
“Last year I struggled a lot, struggled with many injuries and struggled to find my rhythm,” he explained. “Now I’ve got my body in order. It’s lovely to feel that it works.”
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His return to fitness has helped him re-establish his influence in Mikel Arteta’s midfield, with competition for places remaining strong at Arsenal.
For now, the immediate priority for Ødegaard appears to be his football rather than his next contract. He has made his desire to stay clear, but formal discussions with Arsenal are yet to begin.
