Arsenal and Real Madrid have been involved in plenty of transfer business in recent history. Famously, the Gunners have often used Real Madrid as a route into the loan system, with both Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard being the obvious examples in recent seasons.
Without a doubt, the most successful of the two loan moves was Martin Odegaard. Not only did he do enough to be signed permanently by Mikel Arteta, but the former Real Madrid star is now the Gunners' best player and their captain. His consistent pulling of the strings suggests that Real Madrid let a gem slip through their fingers.
However, Martin Odegaard feels much happier at Arsenal than he did at Real Madrid and has hinted why.
Arsenal star annoyed by being an “easy target” at Real Madrid
According to English outlet The Mirror, Martin Odegaard has placed a particular emphasis on the Spanish media, which everybody knows is a cruel judge of character, on his annoyance with his Real Madrid tenure.
In his own words, Odegaard said: "It was annoying. Everyone just saw me as the young kid and you just want to be looked at as a normal player." The Mirror also quoted a former Odegaard interview, whereby he said:
"I was an easy target....Maybe If I'd been Spanish, I might have been given a bit more time to grow. Honestly, I don't know. In the end, it's just the nature of the hype machine. There is no in-between in modern football. You're either the best signing in history, or you're s***.”
In hindsight, it is true that Martin Odegaard was judged too early. It seems obvious to say but he was signed as a 16-year-old, of course he would take time to adjust to playing for the best team in the world. It is scary to imagine how successful Martin Odegaard could be at Real Madrid, but Los Blancos will have no regrets, since Jude Bellingham is one of the best players in the world, anyway.
As a club which prides itself on its class, it won't be nice for Real Madrid to hear of Martin Odegaard's bitter feelings. However, fans wish him nothing but success in North London.
Do you think Martin Odegaard would make the current Real Madrid team?