Rio Ferdinand believes that Arsenal playmaker Martin Odegaard will win the Premier League Player of the Season award this time around.
Speaking on the official Premier League Twitter page, pundit and former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand tipped Arsenal club captain Martin Odegaard to bag the Player of the Season gong at the end of the current campaign.
However, he only predicted a third-place finish for the Gunners in the league, one down from the runners’ up spot they managed last time out. Instead, he feels that both Manchester clubs will finish ahead of Mikel Arteta’s side, with Manchester City to clinch the title yet again.
As for Odegaard, on current form he certainly stands a good chance of claiming the Premier League Player of the Season prize which was handed to Erling Haaland last time out. Of course, Odegaard isn’t likely to outscore his Etihad Stadium-based compatriot, but he can be equally influential for the Gunners in his own way.
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Odegaard a leading light for Arsenal
Odegaard is the heartbeat of Arteta’s team. He was imperious for the north London club last season, racking up 15 goals and 8 assists. He looks to have carried that momentum into the new campaign as well. He ran the show at times against Manchester City in their recent Community Shield clash.
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The 24-year-old is an orchestrator on the pitch for Arsenal. He dictates their attacking play, and is often able to combine brilliantly with Bukayo Saka on the right-hand side of the field.
Having added a clinical edge in front of goal to his game last season, whilst retaining his creative influence, Odegaard has gone to another level. Arsenal paid just £30 million to sign the 51-cap Norway international from Real Madrid in 2021, which must now be seen as one of the best deals in the club’s recent history.
With Kevin de Bruyne now 32-years-old and hampered with fitness issues, Odegaard is arguably the best attacking midfielder in English football and would be well worthy of the Player of the Season award if he can maintain his form throughout the campaign. However, he’d much rather lead Arsenal to Premier League glory in the place of picking up any such major individual awards.