Martin Odegaard reaches decision on Bayern transfer as ‘terribly tame’ Arsenal star slammed

· Football365

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was slammed for a “terribly tame” display for Norway after reaching a decision on moving to Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was slammed for a “terribly tame” display for Norway in their win over Wales in the Nations League after reaching a decision on moving to Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

Odegaard completed the full 90 minutes for Norway as Antonio Nusa, Andreas Schjelderup and Erling Haaland scored in a 3-1 win for Stale Solbakken’s side on Saturday.

The Gunners skipper wasn’t anywhere near as involved as he usually is and his lack of energy was noted by former Norway international Kjetil Rekdal.

> “I think he was terribly tame today,” Rekdal told TV 2. “He looked tired and didn’t have the movement he usually has. I think he was much less visible than he usually is.”

His relatively lethargic display came as no surprise to Solbakken, who explained that the playmaker overcame illness to play after enduring a sleepless night.

> “We have had a captain who has been lying around all night and spitting, and who was allowed to take some other liberties than he was supposed to,” he said.

> “If you lie down all night and throw up, that’s it. All credit to him for going the distance. We had a conversation during the break that he should just drive from the start and let us know when the tank was empty.”

Teammate David Moller Wolfe hailed Odegaard’s “insane” commitment to the cause.

> “It’s absolutely insane,” he said. “He controls the pace of the match the way he wants and the way we’ve become very accustomed to him doing it. It says a lot about him and how good a player and leader he is.”

And Patrick Berg, who came off the bench in the second half, added: “I understood that Martin had a bad night.

> “It’s not exactly optimal when you’re going out and playing a football game. It’s strong of him to be able to finish.”

Sky Germany reported last month that Bayern Munich have had ‘ongoing contact’ with Odegaard, who ‘can imagine playing for Bayern Munich in the future’.

The 27-year-old’s current contract expires in 2028 and Sky Germany claimed that Arsenal would be open to offers for Odegaard next summer if a new deal isn’t agreed in the meantime.

But Odegaard told reporters while on international duty that he has no desire to leave Arsenal, for Bayern or anyone else, anytime soon.

> “I’m happy and hope I can stay there [at Arsenal] for a long time to come, but we haven’t started on that yet,” Odegaard said when asked about a possible new Gunners deal.

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