Darren Bent responds when asked if Arsenal star good enough to replace Manchester City man

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Martin Odegaard sparkled for Arsenal on Tuesday as they knocked Porto out of the Champions League to book their place in the quarter-finals – with the Arsenal skipper at the heart of everything.

The 25-year-old went round two Porto players to slip the ball into Leandro Trossard, who did the rest – curling past Diogo Costa. A crucial goal that levelled the two-legged tie, after a 1-0 first-leg defeat.

Odegaard continues to be the attacking glue that holds everything together for Arsenal. Much like Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, operating as a no.8 and between the lines – scoring and creating.

Rio Ferdinand described Odegaard as the “ultimate technician” after his penalty in the shootout last night, while Paul Merson actually likened his assist to something we often see from City star De Bruyne.

Arsenal fan and former Tottenham striker Bent was asked if Odegaard could be the player to replace De Bruyne at Manchester City in the long term. He said he could be, but feels he won’t be leaving soon.

“He could be Bent said, when asked if Odegaard could replace De Bruyne at Manchester City, on TalkSPORT (13/03, 5.05PM). He continued: “But i don’t think he’s leaving Arsenal any time soon.

“When Arsenal first re-signed him after his loan, I was little bit like – hmmm. He has been phenomenal, and his pass last night was fantastic. He’s set his standards so high,” Bent added, discussing Odegaard.

Darren Bent says Martin Odegaard could replace Kevin De Bruyne

Odegaard is not De Bruyne’s level, but he isn’t far away. At just 25, he is much De Bruyne’s junior and in terms of quality, the Norwegian is showing the quality necessary to reach the City star’s sky-high level.

Could he actually replace him? Players have gone from Arsenal to Manchester City and vice versa. But Arsenal will be absolutely desperate to keep Odegaard at The Emirates for years and years to come.