‘I hate myself for that’ – Laura Woods regrets ‘questioning’ Arsenal for signing £30m star before
LAURA WOODS admits she “regrets” questioning Arsenal’s £30million signing of Martin Odegaard.
And she now believes the Norwegian is doing an excellent job of captaining the Gunners to a potential first title since 2004.
Odegaard, 24, is enjoying an incredible season under Mikel Arteta, two years after joining Arsenal on an initial loan deal from Real Madrid.
He has seven goals and five assists so far this term.
And after making his deal permanent 18 months ago, Arteta handed Odegaard the Arsenal captaincy last summer.
Both decisions now look inspired, with the playmaker becoming the beating heart of Arsenal’s push for title glory.
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But Woods revealed on that, at the time, she questioned Odegaard’s arrival for a hefty £30m.
The broadcaster was not sure whether the midfielder was the right man to help her beloved Gunners progress.
But Woods accepts that in hindsight, she couldn’t have been further from the truth.
She declared: “I think a lot of people were sleeping on Arsenal in general. I think while that was happening, Mikel Arteta was knitting together this amazing plan that he had.
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“I think a lot of credit needs to go to the hierarchy for backing Arteta and backing his vision.
“When you look at the players he brought in and you look at the price tag, I said, “Martin Odegaard for £30m?’. I hate myself for questioning that, I hate myself for that.
“But I love this Arsenal side. I think the vision as well from Arteta to give Odegaard the captaincy as well, they see things we don’t, how this guy operates around the club and I think that was an inspired move to give him the captaincy.
“I’ve not seen an Arsenal team this connected to each other for years. Obviously there was the 2004 team who were incredible and that kind of spirit that came through the ‘90s as well was wonderful.
“But then there was this huge gap and an absolute fall-off, a real void and division between Arsenal fans. What we’re seeing at the moment is absolutely marvellous.”
Arsenal were dealt a setback this week when they draw 0-0 with Newcastle.
But they remain eight points clear of Man City ahead of their title rivals playing their game in hand against Chelsea tonight.