Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is delighted with the acquisition of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid.

The Norway international excelled with the Emirates Stadium club during the second half of the last campaign.

The Gunners, who have lost their first two Premier League games of the season, are in need of a lift as they take on Manchester City at the weekend.

Arteta told the club's website: "I was really happy (to sign Martin) because at one stage we thought it wouldn't be possible, Madrid wasn't very keen on selling the player.

"Martin always expressed his desire to come, but it wasn't looking very possible and then the door opened and straight away the club was really supportive and Edu (technical director) did a great job to manage the situation and we got the player that we wanted and we know because we have experience already with him for six months.

"I think he makes the rest of the players around him better. His work ethic is phenomenal, the way he goes about his job, his professionalism, his character, he's a very likeable person. I think he has fitted really well into the culture and then for the way we want to play he's a player with exceptional qualities to add to them."