Glenn Hoddle says he’s changed his mind on Arsenal player, he’s actually amazing

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Glenn Hoddle has lauded Arsenal duo Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard for their improvements over the course of the season.

The Gunners are in incredible form right now, with five consecutive Premier League wins under their belt.

Partey and Odegaard both struggled for a long time at Arsenal, seemingly failing to meet their expectations.

Until now, that is – both midfielders have been superb recently and stood out against Leicester at the weekend.

Partey was truly instrumental for Arsenal, helping to control the midfield and playing key roles in both Gunners goals.

Meanwhile, Odegaard showed incredible ball control and skill, opening the Foxes defence up time and time again.

Hoddle, speaking on Premier League Productions – via The Express – loved what he saw from both players.

He stressed he never thought they were bad, instead deeming them “pretty average” when they first joined Arsenal.

But now, Hoddle says they’ve got a “lovely balance” in midfield.

In addition, the England legend praised Partey for nailing down his role, compared to when he was “trying to do everything” at the start.

“Those two looked pretty average when they first arrived at Arsenal,” said Hoddle.

“For me they looked ok, [they were] not too bad.

“But they’ve now got their feet under the table and they’re now playing at their very best.

“The balance between those two players is perfect for the midfield, for me.

“Whoever goes in there and plays with them, at the moment it was [Granit] Xhaka, but it could be anyone else.

“Those two, they’ve got a lovely balance, and I think that Partey now is screening that, he knows his job.

“I think he was trying to do everything when he first arrived.

“He wanted to be a goalscorer and get in the box. He wanted to get back and defend, as well.

“Now they’re saying that’s your role in the team, and Odegaard then can go and play where he’s going to hurt other teams.

“As I say, I look at him now, he can’t wait for the next game.

“I don’t care who it is, he’s saying ‘give me the ball’, and when you’ve got a midfield player like that, you’re going to hurt teams.

“Yeah, they’ve got that lovely balance, particularly in the midfield.”