Martin Ødegaard made an excellent impression on Saturday. The Arsenal playmaker claimed a leading role with a goal and a brilliant assist in the away game against Brighton & Hove Albion (2-4 win). Ødegaard also had some nice actions and his excellent performance has not gone unnoticed by the English press. The Norwegian can count on words of praise the day after the rain of goals.

Ødegaard potential finally comes out

Ødegaard aligned himself with Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Alexis Sánchez on Saturday by being directly involved in two or more goals in three consecutive games for Arsenal. Paul Merson, who himself played for the Gunners for twelve years, was lyrical about the Scandinavian at Sky Sports. “Martin Ødegaard is a player who knows what he is doing before he has the ball. Martinelli runs as soon as Ødegaard has the ball.” Martinelli made the decisive 1-4 on Saturday, on a pass from Ødegaard, who sent the Brazilian away from his own half.

Ronnie O’Sullivan of football

“This is how Ronnie O’Sullivan would do it in football,” Merson refers to the fine snooker player. “He looks at the holes and that’s what Ødegaard does. A lot of players don’t see that pass, he was probably the only player on the field who could see that. Kevin De Bruyne sees it, Ødegaard sees it, but I don’t believe that other players who can see space.” The London Evening Standard states that the 24-year-old former player of Vitesse and sc Heerenveen is playing ‘on a different level at the moment’, while The Telegraph wonders aloud whether he is the best player in the Premier League. “The 24-year-old grows every game, sees passes others don’t and produces quality moments that define games.”

Mikel Arteta

Manager Mikel Arteta was also nothing but praise for his midfielder afterwards. “He does what we want him to do: decide games and work very hard to give the team what it needs. The front four players have all scored, which is great to see.” Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the south of England, after which Ødegaard, Eddie Nketiah and Martinelli decided the game. Due to Manchester City’s loss of points against Everton (1-1), leader Arsenal also ran two points ahead of its closest attacker, so that the Londoners are now no less than seven points ahead of the Manchester club. Free Bets on Arsenal still pay better money than Man City to win the league at the moment.