Rio Ferdinand says £30m Arsenal player is a real magician for the Gunners

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Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard came in for huge praise from Rio Ferdinand ahead of their Champions League meeting with Porto.

Ferdinand, speaking on TNT Sports, described the 25-year-old as the Gunners‘ ‘locksmith’ and hailed his ‘phenomenal’ execution.

Odegaard moved to Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2021 and has become a key player for the Gunners, registering 32 goals and 22 assists from 133 appearances.

The Norwegian’s efforts helped Arsenal push Manchester City in the Premier League title race last term and contributed to their recent superb form in the top flight.

Even though the Gunners lost to Porto, Odegaard was one of their better players. He was their brightest creative outlet and pressed well too.

Arsenal ace Martin Odegaard is ‘phenomenal’

Speaking ahead of the match, Ferdinand suggested that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta sees Odegaard as more than just a footballer.

“He’s one of the players they look to in moments when they need that little spark, that little bit of magic. He’s that guy who’s got that,” Ferdinand said on TNT Sports.

“Last year, he was one of the best midfielders no doubt in the league. He dipped a little bit earlier in the season in terms of his output of goals and in creating chances, but in the last couple of games, he’s come back to the fore and he’s the guy again who they’re looking at.

“He’s providing those moments where he’s unlocking, he’s the locksmith. He’s the person that when it’s congested, he’s got that clear picture and can see the game a lot clearer than anyone else. His execution is phenomenal.

“And he’s been made captain here [at] 22 years old, made captain of Norway. He comes in here and he’s immediately captain of the club, that says something, the manager sees something more than just a footballer.”

Odegaard has come a very long way since joining Arsenal in 2021. He is not only living up to his potential, but exceeding it.

Things didn’t quite go to plan for him at Real Madrid, and for a while there were worries he wasn’t going to achieve his potential.

This all changed after Odegaard joined Arsenal, initially on loan and then permanently for £30million. The rest is history, and hopefully he can make history with the club.