Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has explained why he believes Arsenal star Martin Odegaard has an edge over Tottenham Hotspur ace James Maddison.
Arsenal club captain Martin Odegaard is a top class player in great form, as is Spurs playmaker James Maddison.
Given they play in similar positions on the pitch and represent such bitter rivals, it is inevitable that comparisons will be made between the two. In terms of pure quality, they are hard to separate.
So far this season, Odegaard has been in fairly prolific form. The 24-year-old midfielder has racked up four goals across all competitions so far. Equally, Maddison has chipped in with two strikes and five assists.
Aside from end product, Odegaard is also a great leader for Arsenal. The Norwegian steps up when it really matters, works tirelessly in every match, and is a tactical instructor on the pitch as he regularly guides and directs his teammates on how to press the opposition.
Why Murphy prefers Odegaard
The £30 million former Real Madrid man is a pressing machine. He runs all day for the Gunners, and it is that extraordinary stamina that Danny Murphy believes put his ahead of Maddison.
Speaking on the FIVE YouTube channel, the pundit said, “I think the only question mark over Maddison…is his defensive duties.”
“Does he press with real intent or is it a bit more gestured? When it’s tight and hard and things aren’t going his way. He [Ange Postecoglou] brings him off a lot, and Leicester did as well. Odegaard, I very rarely see him come off and he’s still pressing at the end, fit as, as well as the creativity.”
Odegaard starts for Arsenal week in, week out, and regularly completes ninety minutes. His ability to defend from the front also forms a key part of how Arteta wants his side to play. Odegaard is the heartbeat of this Arsenal team due to everything he offers off of the ball as well as on it.
Maddison, for all of his undoubted quality, still has some way to go in this regard. The 26-year-old may well be able to add these aspects to his game in the coming years, though.
Equally, given his relative youth, Arsenal fans will be expecting Odegaard to keep on improving.
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