Nelson and Saka praise Martin Odegaard on Instagram after Arsenal win

By Jordan Harris

Reiss Nelson and Bukayo Saka were amongst those to take to Instagram to laud Martin Odegaard following the captain’s stunning performance as Arsenal beat West Ham to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table on Boxing Day.

The Gunners picked up where they left off before the World Cup break against the Hammers. Second-half goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah ensured that Mikel Arteta’s men came from behind to win against the Irons at the Emirates.

All of Arsenal’s attacking players were outstanding against David Moyes’s side. However, it was hard to complain with the decision to name Odegaard as man of the match.

Nelson amazed by Odegaard after Arsenal win

The Norwegian was absolutely superb behind the forward line. He provided the assists for both Saka and Nketiah – though it is probably fair to say that he did not intend to set up the former.

He was involved in so much of what Arsenal did well during the win. And he set the tempo for the league leaders, ensuring that the comeback was always likely to come at some stage.

Following the game, Odegaard took to Instagram. And it is probably fair to say that the responses from both Saka and Nelson sum up how a lot of Arsenal supporters feel following the win…

Odegaard now has 10 goal involvements in the Premier League already this season. Remarkably, he is only one goal away from matching his tally from the entirety of the last campaign. And he was pretty good last year, too.

He is stepping up in a big way. And Arsenal will probably benefit from Odegaard not going away to the World Cup.

He was raring to go on Boxing Day. And it seems that the Gunners are not going to give up their spot on the summit of the table without a big fight.