When Martin Odegaard joined Arsenal on loan in January, one of the first questions posed to Mikel Arteta was inevitable.
What needed to happen for the move to be made permanent?
"He certainly has all the qualities and characteristics that we are looking for for that position,” Arteta said at the time. "Then 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.
"Secondly, what Real Madrid and the player think about it because he's owned by Real Madrid and the player has a big say in that too.”
A few months down the line, it appears that Arsenal have 75% of the pieces in place after Arteta’s comments.
After an initial adaption period, Odegaard has made a huge impact in recent weeks.
He led a spirited comeback against West Ham at the weekend, leading Arteta to make it perfectly clear how impressed he has been with his adaption to the Premier League.
Asked whether the 22-year-old is a leader in his team, Arteta told reporters: "Well, he’s showing that I think from week one.
”The way he steps on the pitch, he always wants the ball, the way he commands the pressing. He’s been really influential.
"I think we’ve all been a bit surprised because he looks really shy and humble, but when he steps on that pitch he’s a real character and he loves to play football.”
With Odegaard proving his quality on the pitch, a permanent deal first depends on whether the Norwegian himself would be keen.
Earlier this month, he hinted he would be keen on a long-term stay telling BT Sport: “I have felt at home since the first day, I am happy to be here and feel great.”
Asked why he joined Arsenal, he added: "First of all, the manager and his ideas, the way he wants to play football.
"He's a top coach, he's really intelligent. He's really smart. There are so many things to learn from him, so I'm just happy to be here."
With Arteta and Odegaard winning each other over, Arsenal have 3/4s of the criteria in place needed for a permanent move.
But there is still one crucial stumbling block - Real Madrid.
When Odegaard first joined Arsenal, manager Zinedine Zidane confirmed he wanted him to stay and fight for his place.
And his impressive displays in the Premier League are sure to be catching the eye of his parent club, particularly given their own mixed fortunes this season.
Odegaard? He wanted to leave, we talked two, three times about it,” Zidane told reporters shortly after his exit.
"He wanted to play and I told him to stay and fight for his place. I've always wanted him in my team but it was his decision. I wanted him in my team.
"I wanted him back from his loan [at Real Sociedad last season] and I told him to stay because the season is still very long and he would have had his chances.
But he wanted to leave and play. I really wanted him in my squad.”
If Zidane and Real Madrid decide they still want Odegaard in their squad at the end of the season, Arsenal’s hands may be tied.
But Odegaard and Arteta are holding up their end of the bargain by making his loan move a success and they will hold high hopes of making the arrangement permanent when they get the chance.
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