Martin Odegaard has been compared to Brentford midfielder, Christian Eriksen, as he develops into a top-class player at Arsenal.
The Norwegian moved to the Emirates on a permanent transfer in the summer after a six-month loan spell at the back end of last season.
Mikel Arteta was more than sure he had seen enough to add the midfielder to his squad, even though some fans doubted his suitability to the very physical Premier League.
The midfielder is now showing his class in the club’s colours and he is one of the finest ballplayers in the league.
Former Leeds United man, Noel Whelan, has been delighted to watch him play and compares him to Tottenham’s Champions League finalist, Eriksen.
He tells Football Insider: “If you’re talking about much-improved players who have become integral to their sides, there are none more important right now than Odegaard.
“He’s become like a Christian Eriksen at Tottenham. Everything seems to go through him, he’s been incredible.
“He’s always had real quality on the ball, but he’s added a real air of confidence to his game – and with that has come the goals and assists.
“He is that all-around number 10 player holding it all together. At the minute, bar Man City and Liverpool – Arsenal are the most fluid, attacking team in the Premier League.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Odegaard has been one of our best players and the midfielder is probably why we are creating so many chances.
His feet are magical and he doesn’t shy away from the ball while on the pitch.
He looks to be just hitting top form now, and that means there is more to come from him.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Arteta speaks after Liverpool defeat “Arsenal were the better team”
for the love of God Whelan, share the glue already…this isn’t meant to be a slag against Ode, as he’s had some performances of quality in recent times, minus of course his disappearing act mid-week, but infinitely more about the far too premature comparisons and commentaries that used to only emerge once they were suitable earned over a significantly larger sample size…hopefully that will be the case, but he simply can’t continue to go missing in big games moving forward, especially considering our tactical limitations
Not sure what game you were watching, but Klopp made sure he had two players on him all the time, Saka was the one who went missing, it was an under par performance from Saka who error led to the second goal. Odegaard is the player who is making things happen
that’s a ridiculous assertion, obviously you know very little about defensive zone tactics….now if we were to take your flawed take seriously, wouldn’t that be a crushing indebtment on MA’s tactical abilities, in that he couldn’t manufacture the requisite amount of opportunities even though 2 Pool players were constantly at Ode’s heels…so which one is it?
btw this certainly isn’t the first time Ode has found it difficult to put his imprint on a match when we’re facing better opponents…of course, Klopp instructed his boys to make his life difficult, as everyone knows Ode needs time and space to be impactful, but the best players find a way to either create space for themselves or draw defenders away so that it creates space for others…I’m not suggesting he was a headless chicken out there, it just seems that he has a tendency to shrink sometimes against more formidable foes…he’s still quite young, so let’s hope this changes over time
I agree – he’s been great recently but lacks the cutting edge that’s needed for a top player in his position, either that final pass or goal. I think he’s well aware of that, based on recent interviews, so I’m looking forward to seeing how he continues to improve.
One thing you can’t question is the attitude – he’s been the heart of the team recently. If he can’t get that cutting edge he could be very good from deeper
that’s an intriguing possibility that I’ve likewise spoke on some time ago…would like to see him replace Xhaka, as Granit provides functionally nothing from a defensive capacity anyways, then have ESR patrolling the midfield in more central areas so that we could counter more effectively both out wide and in a more direct fashion…not to mention, this would give him the time on the ball that he craves and he would likewise be able to play farther up the pitch against the lesser lights…just think having both Ode and Xhaka on the pitch at the same time can have a stifling impact on the offensive side of the ball, especially against the top clubs
Not wanting to burst anyones bubble but i prefer ESR in the role. Odergaard is a tidy player, no doubt but i believe we missed ESR against Liverpool and i think we are brighter with him than without. ESR proved he was better last session finally given the chance and i feel he would be this as well. Slight mystery to me.