This archive report was first published on 21 August 2021.
On Friday, 20th August, Arsenal FC announced the signings of Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale, two key additions to the team's squad.
Martin Odegaard, a 22-year-old Norway international, joined the Gunners on loan in January and has now made the move permanent for a reported fee of £30 million. The midfielder scored two goals in 20 appearances for the North London club last season.
"You've seen the numbers and what we did after Christmas when Martin was in the team… the team performed at a completely different level," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said, highlighting the impact Odegaard had on the team.
Real Madrid had signed Odegaard as a teenager and sent him out on various loan deals, including to Vitesse Arnhem and Real Sociedad before Arsenal.
Aaron Ramsdale, a 23-year-old English goalkeeper, joined Arsenal from Sheffield United on the same day, with whom he was relegated from the Premier League last season. He made 38 EPL appearances for the Blades last season and was included in England's squad for Euro 2020.
"Aaron is a talented young keeper with huge experience and has international experience for England. He will bring competition and that's what we want to create – healthy competition, quality competition in every position," said Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.
Ramsdale and Odegaard join Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga, and Nuno Tavares, who have signed for the Gunners this season.
