Mikel Arteta reacts to Martin Odegaard’s display in Arsenal draw

Add as preferred source on Google

Mikel Arteta labelled Martin Odegaard’s performance in Arsenal’s draw with West Ham ‘incredible’, and hinted that he was pivotal in inspiring the Gunners’ fightback at the London Stadium – in comments posted on the club’s official website.

Arteta’s side looked set to be on their way to a heavy defeat on Sunday. They were 3-0 down inside 32 minutes against David Moyes’s side.

However, the visitors produced a stunning comeback, scoring a third late on to level the game. And there was arguably no player who played a bigger part in forcing Arsenal back into the contest than Odegaard.

As shown by Whoscored, he completed four key passes. No Arsenal player made more. Meanwhile, no player on either side managed more dribbles than the Norwegian.

And following the game, Arteta insisted that he could not have asked for more from the Real Madrid loanee.

“I think he had an incredible performance, he was very intelligent the way he read the game, the way he effected the game and again he showed how much he wants to win,” he said, as reported by the club’s official website.

“When everyone was a little bit trembling, he gave us that composure on the ball and he created chance after chance.”

TBR View: Odegaard form could be bittersweet for Arsenal

Odegaard has been a revelation in recent weeks. But, while that is fantastic for Arsenal right now, that may not be good news further down the line.

As things stand, it is difficult to see Arsenal not asking the question about keeping Odegaard this summer.

However, if he continues to play at his current level, his parent club will surely have no interest in letting him go.

Unfortunately for Arsenal in regards to their summer plans, he may actually be playing too well.