Arsenal’s defenders may have been the ones making the headlines after the Gunners’ win over Everton, but Paul Merson picked out Martin Odegaard as his star player.
There’s little doubt that Arsenal’s centre-backs had the most eye-catching involvements in the team’s 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday.
Other than the fact that they helped the Gunners to a clean sheet, they also scored the two goals. Ezri Konsa netted from close range after a corner, and Gabriel Magalhaes doubled Arsenal’s lead with a header.
But Arsenal put in a strong team performance all around, and former Gunner Paul Merson highlighted club captain Martin Odegaard as his best player from the game.
“I thought Odegaard was outstanding, if you had to pick someone,” Merson said. “He just ticks it all over, he’s so comfortable, he’s got a great left foot, he’s just a nice, nice player.
“When he’s in the mood and he has been in the mood this season, his confidence has been high, he’s been the one for me.”
Odegaard was definitely another player who performed very well, completing 89% of his passes including 88% accurate passes in the opposition half, pressing excellently (which was key to Arsenal’s dominance), and taking five shots.
Everton were forced into defending very deep throughout the match, and that meant Odegaard’s efforts were often blocked before they could reach the goalkeeper. But it was a strong display from the 27-year-old all the same.
Arsenal will need just as many strong performances if they’re going to maintain their current Premier League winning streak at Anfield next weekend.
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