Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard might have been grabbing the headlines this weekend for his involvement in celebrations but Mikel Arteta was keen to heap praise on the midfielder.
Odegaard drew an angry response from Jamie Carragher after he went a bit over the top with the Arsenal cameraman at full-time. Carragher, on Sky at the time, insisted the Gunners star should have just ‘got down the tunnel’ rather than milk the celebrations.
However, away from all that sort of nonsense and what’s grown to be on social media, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta felt the need to address Odegaard’s actual footballing ability.
And speaking to Viaplay after the game, Arteta lauded the Norwegian for how he’s grown into being the captain at The Emirates.
Mikel Arteta praises Martin Odegaard
Speaking about his skipper, the Spanish coach had nothing but kind words to say about the former Real Madrid player.
“He’s been amazing. He’s growing and growing as a leader. He’s hugely respected and now people are starting to admire his character and what he does for the team every day,” Arteta said.
Arsenal paid around £30m to bring Odegaard to the club back in 2021 and it’s proven to be an inspired piece of business.
Odegaard so influential
He might not have been on the scoresheet yesterday but Martin Odegaard showed his class in the middle of the park against Liverpool.
It was his sublime pass through the middle that sent Kai Havertz scampering clear for the first goal and Odegaard really did step up when it mattered.
There were some eyebrows raised when Mikel Arteta made him captain but you have to say that decision now looks inspired.
The Norwegian seems to ooze class and he has the respect of both his teammates and fans.
As captains go who lead purely with their ability and performances, there aren’t many better than Odegaard in the league right now.