Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was hailed the 'Ronnie O'Sullivan' of football for his precision and ingenuity in a totemic display against Brighton.
On-fire Odegaard was likened to snooker icon O'Sullivan after his instrumental role in a huge 4-2 victory for the Gunners on the south coast on New Year's Eve.
The Norwegian midfielder scored once again and was named man of the match for the second consecutive game as Mikel Arteta's men passed their latest title test at the Amex to move seven points clear in the Premier League.
But it was Odegaard's sublime second-half assist for Gabriel Martinelli that left fans purring as the playmaker carved out a moment of brilliance to put the game beyond doubt.
Odegaard showcased exquisite vision deep inside his half to split the Brighton defence with a gloriously weighted first time pass to Martinelli, who latched onto the ball and prodded home.
Paul Merson was gushing in his praise of Odegaard's moment of inspiration, comparing his scanning and execution to the way seven-time world champion O'Sullivan plots his way around the green baize.
"When you talk about people seeing pictures, Martin Odegaard knows what he is doing before this ball comes he knows what he's doing and Martinelli knows what he is doing and he's away," Merson told Sky Sports. "He is running with pace full pelt with the ball.
"That is Ronnie O'Sullivan in football, he's looking at the pots and that is what Martin Odegaard. A lot of people don't see that pass, he is probably the only player on the pitch who sees that."
A genius on the table, the enigmatic O'Sullivan has used his artistry to break records and transcend snooker. But while a link with one of sport's great masterminds may be fitting for Odegaard, comparisons with Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne will surely hold significance for the Gunners star.
“Kevin de Bruyne sees it, Odeegard sees it but I don’t think any other player in the Premier League sees it open up," Merson added, lauding Odegaard's awareness in finding Martinelli.
And Merson now believes Odegaard has every chance of leading a youthful Arsenal side to the Premier League title, after De Bruyne's City were held by struggling Everton.
“You’ve got to look at Man City who we’re talking about as the only team who can chase them down – they lost at home to Brentford and they’ve drawn at home to Everton who are on a bad run," he said. "It’s not like they’re ripping it up as well.
“They were games they were expected to win. That’s where when you talk about expected goals, I look at expected games you should have won and they’re two games they should have won. That’s where five points are dropped. At the moment, I don’t see anybody stopping Arsenal.”
