Arsenal have a Premier League rival to thank for the signing of Martin Odegaard.
The Real Madrid midfielder has been excellent since joining on loan until the end of the season in the final days of the January transfer window, leading to calls for Arsenal to sign him permanently.
Odegaard has been pivotal in recent weeks, and on Sunday, he helped the Gunners complete a three-goal comeback to take a point from West Ham.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said after the game: "Yeah I think he had an incredible performance. I think he was very intelligent the way he read the game, the way he affected the game and again he showed how much he wanted to win.
"When everyone was a little trembling he gave us that stability and that composure on the ball and he created chance after chance."
The loan signing could be pivotal to Arsenal's season as they look to battle their way towards the European places, but it might not have been that way if it wasn't for Everton star Joshua King.
King, who plays with Odegaard for Norway, actually told the midfielder to join Arsenal when he heard of the rumours, he has revealed during international duty.
King told NRK: “When I saw the rumour about Arsenal, I sent him a message and said: 'You have to go to Arsenal.'
“He replied, 'Are you sure? Are you sure?' – I was so sure. Arsenal’s style of play and Martin… I have friends who have played for Arsenal, and I know a little how the club is.
"In my head, I think it suited him well.”
Arteta and Arsenal owe King for that key advice and they may want the former Manchester United forward to have another word as they look to land Odegaard on a permanent deal from Real Madrid this summer.
