Pundit amazed by how hard 25-year-old Arsenal player worked against Luton

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Adrian Clarke has lauded one Arsenal player for how hard he worked against Luton Town on Wednesday, insisting that he was the one who triggered the press against Rob Edwards’ side.

Arsenal went back to the top of the Premier League table in their latest game. It was Martin Odegaard who gave the Gunners the lead at the Emirates. And an own goal doubled their advantage just before half-time.

It did appear that Arsenal were largely in control, barring a few moments where the Hatters threatened to cause a couple of problems. Arsenal certainly know for themselves how Luton do not accept defeat and go away.

However, the Gunners seemed as comfortable as is ever really possible in a Premier League game. Nevertheless, it seems that Arsenal produced some outstanding running statistics.

Arsenal star lauded for how hard he worked against Luton

And it proved to be another captain’s performance from Odegaard.

Speaking on Handbrake Off, Adrian Clarke suggested that the Norwegian really set the standard with how hard he worked against Luton in the victory.

“Odegaard was definitely the trigger. He ran 12km on his own, which is really high. And he was someone who never stopped pressing,” he said.

“I thought our pressing, in general, in the first-half was great. But he was really the trigger I thought. Basically, on a night where we gave our star players a rest, he did overtime, didn’t he. He didn’t coast through that game. He put his heart and soul into it. And I thought the team needed it actually, because it wasn’t a fervent atmosphere; it was a bit quiet.

“There was a lot of changes as we said, so it needed the skipper to step up, and he did.”

Another captain’s performance

There is absolutely no question that Odegaard is an outstanding player. The 25-year-old has scored 10 goals in all competitions this season.

But what is so impressive about the attacking midfielder is the way that he produces these performances which send a message to the rest of his teammates.

There are a couple which stick out. His display at Newcastle late last season when the title was still in the balance was outstanding.

And it was a similar story in the second-leg of their Champions League tie with Porto recently. Odegaard almost seemed like a man possessed as he tried to drag Arsenal level in the tie.

Obviously, his display against Luton is unlikely to be remembered in the same way. But it does show that he is ready to do all he can to get Arsenal across the line.