Adrian Clarke has now heaped praise on Arsenal club captain Martin Odegaard.
Martin Odegaard has been in fine form for Arsenal recently.
The Norwegian playmaker was back amongst the goals against Burnley last time out, as his early strike from the edge of the penalty area set the Gunners on their way to a thumping 5-0 win at Turf Moor.
Against the Clarets, the former Real Madrid man pulled all the strings in attack as Arsenal tore their opponents apart. Odegaard was perhaps even more influential in his previous match, as Arsenal secured a 6-0 win against West Ham United at the London Stadium.
Against the Hammers, Odegaard produced a creative masterclass, receiving plenty of plaudits for his efforts. Odegaard has been one of the most effective chance-creators in Europe this season, and the rest of the Arsenal attackers have really started to take full advantage of that in recent weeks.
Arsenal fans will be hoping for more of the same from the midfielder when they take on Porto in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Wednesday evening.
Adrian Clarke hails Arsenal star Martin Odegaard
Speaking ahead of that continental clash, journalist and former Arsenal winger Adrian Clarke shared his thoughts on Odegaard’s recent form on the Handbrake Off podcast. He said, “what a signing this guy is! I mean he is a perfect player, you know, in terms of what he gives you without the ball, what he gives you with the leadership, and then obviously the quality on the ball.”
“No one has produced more chances, or made more chances in open play than Martin in the Premier League this season. He’s made five more through-balls than any other player in the Premier League this season…He is on fire.”
Mikel Arteta paid £30 million to prise Odegaard away from Real Madrid on a permanent basis in the summer of 2021, after the player had shown flashes of his quality during a short loan stint at the Emirates Stadium.
Since then, Odegaard has very much made Arsenal his home, and has developed and flourished as a player into one of the best that the Premier League has to offer. The decision to sign him permanently, for a relative bargain fee, must now be viewed as some of the best business that the Gunners have conducted in recent years.
It is now vital that Odegaard is able to stay fit and in form for the rest of the season. If Arsenal are to stand any chance of achieving their aims for the current campaign, and clinching the Premier League title, then the skipper must be available and firing on all cylinders.
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