Huesca vs Real Madrid The Norwegian joined Arsenal on loan
Zinedine Zidane has revealed that he asked Martin Odegaard to stay at Real Madrid in January and compete for a spot in the starting line-up.
However, Odegaard decided to depart and join Arsenal on loan in search of guaranteed playing time, as he had hardly been given any minutes on the pitch this season.
“[Odegaard] wanted to leave,” Zidane said in Real Madrid‘s press conference ahead of their game against Huesca.
“We have talked about it two or three times. He is a player who wants to play.
“It was the player’s demand [to leave]. I told him that he had to stay, fight, have peace of mind, because this is a long process.
“He’s a player who I asked for us to bring in [after spending last season on loan at Real Sociedad].
“It has not been the case and in the end it is everyone’s decision. I hope he is happy.”
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