Gary Neville hails Arsenal star as ‘the best in his position’ ahead of Tottenham clash
'He's become the best in that position in terms of the way in which he plays.'
Gary Neville believes Martin Odegaard is the best midfielder ‘in his position’ ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Tottenham on Sunday.
Odegaard has played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s campaign with 11 goals and nine assists in all competitions this term.
The Norway international delivered another impressive performance in Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Chelsea on Tuesday evening and Neville feels the 25-year-old is now the standout performer in his midfield role.
When asked about Arsenal’s overall performance in their victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, Neville said on Sky Sports’ ‘The Gary Neville Podcast’: ‘Very good, excellent in fact.
‘They were outstanding in that first 25 minutes against Aston Villa when we were there a couple of weeks ago, some of the football.
‘And Odegaard is mesmerising at the moment, I think he’s become the best in that position in terms of the way in which he plays.
‘And I was really impressed with Chelsea against Manchester City on Saturday in that FA Cup semi final, I thought they were really good, lots to hang your hat on there and build on.
‘And then Mauricio Pochettino came out with, he couldn’t have said it any better, ‘when we’re bad, we’re really bad’, but Arsenal were really good and they won well and they played in a dominant fashion against a really poor and under-strengthened Chelsea team, but they did their job.’
Neville has also warned Arsenal about underestimating Tottenham ahead of their north London derby on Sunday and believes Mikel Arteta’s side can learn lessons from Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday evening.
‘Arsenal’s big moment of the season is this one on Sunday. I’m going to be there at the north London derby, it’s a game I’ve loved over the years, probably my favourite game I’ve commentated on for Sky in my 11 years, it always seems to give us something, and this one has got a lot on it at the weekend, a lot on it,’ Neville said.
‘Arsenal go to that amazing stadium and they’ve got to go and play. I was there a few years ago when there was a battle for the Champions League and Tottenham did them over and Arsenal didn’t handle it. It’s a very different Arsenal that’s going to go there on Sunday, a very robust and resilient Arsenal, but this will be a test.
‘Just like Liverpool have found Everton tonight was just a little bit too much for them on the night, for all the experience they have they just got caught out, shocked, surprised by what they found. Arsenal cannot be shocked on Sunday, it’s potentially going to be a bloodbath in the first 15, 20 minutes, Tottenham fans don’t want Arsenal to win the league.
‘It’s a big game on Sunday and it’s [Liverpool’s defeat to Everton] is a big lesson for Arsenal tonight. If Arsenal were watching, which I suspect they were, they should look at that game, it’s not quite the same – Tottenham are a different football team to Everton – but the elements of making sure they’re ready, they don’t get caught out, making sure that away from home you respect the opposition and the crowd and wat you could be up against if they get on top of you, the principles of playing away, Arsenal can’t forget that just because they’re a better football team and they’re in a better moment.’
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