Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says loan singing Martin Odegaard brings "special qualities" to the club and he's excited to get going.
The Norway international midfielder has joined from Spanish champions Real Madrid until the end of the current campaign as he seeks to get regular first-team football.
"He's a player that we followed for some time and we believe that he's got some special qualities that we need, that we have been missing," Arteta said of the 22-year-old, who could make his debut against Manchester United this weekend.
"Now we have to give him a little bit of time. He hasn't played that many minutes in Madrid, but he's been training hard and he looks so excited, as we are to have another big talent at our club.
"He's a specialist to play in the pocket, to be in the No 8 and No 10 positions. He can play off the side. A really creative player, really comfortable on the ball in tight spaces. The capacity to create chances, to score goals.
"Something he has improved a lot is his work rate without the ball. It's another option to give us more creativity in the final third and to set in different ways against certain teams.
"I think in the last few seasons he's progressed and developed in the right way. I've followed him very closely because he played for Real Sociedad, which is my hometown, and I know him really well. I've been really impressed. He's such a talent."
The Arsenal boss has also revealed that the club could look to make Odegaard's move permanent this summer.
"He has certainly all the qualities and characteristics that we are looking for for that position. It will be down to two things. First of all, how well he adapts here and how much of an impact he can have in our team.
"Second, what Real Madrid and the player think about it. Obviously he's owned by Real Madrid and the player has a big say on that."
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