Martin Odegaard has proven Gary Neville following Arsenal's 3-1 win over Chelsea. The 24-year-old midfielder reignited his side's Premier League title hopes with two excellent strikes just days after he was criticised by the former Manchester United defender.
With Odegaard's help, the Gunners leapfrogged Manchester City and secured a two-point lead at the top of the table. While the reigning champions have two games in hand, the title race is far from over and the Norway international certainly led by example against the Blues.
Last month, Neville questioned the leadership qualities of Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey – who are all regarded as senior figures at the club. The 48-year-old admitted that the trio are admirable professionals, but doubted their ability to lift the performances of their inexperienced teammates such as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
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Speaking on The Overlap, he said: "I look at Martin Odegaard, fantastic professional. Oleksandr Zinchenko, great professional. But when you actually get to the highest pressurised moments in the biggest matches in the crux of the season, are they leaders then?
"Arsenal’s senior players, Partey, Zinchenko, Odegaard, in the most difficult period – when those younger players like Saka and Martinelli needed that guidance, Jesus needed telling to stop running around and just stand up front and be really disciplined in how you play – they didn’t impact the rest of their teammates on the pitch, I don’t believe. In fact, they contributed to the difficulties they were having in the matches.
"Xhaka at Anfield [referring to the incident with Trent Alexander-Arnold], Partey’s performances in the last few games, I think Zinchenko gave a goal away in one game as well – the Liverpool game and maybe West Ham as well – and Odegaard had probably his most difficult game as well against Manchester City.
"And then if you think of the huddle that Zinchenko did [against Southampton] and then Odegaard came over and said, ‘break up’. So those four players that are the leaders in that team have not been able – at the moment those younger players needed it – to really pull them together and keep them calm and composed. That to me has been apparent these last few weeks."
Arsenal secured a three-goal lead before Chelsea managed to respond. But, when Noni Madueke gave the west Londoners a glimmer of hope, Odegaard puffed out his chest and led by example.
The Gunners will be hoping that the Norwegian can continue proving Neville wrong ahead of the title race run-in.
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