Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has received public support from both manager Mikel Arteta and team-mate Oleksandr Zinchenko after the Gunners skipper saw his leadership called into question.
Odegaard has been one of Arsenal's stand-out performers this season, but has had some blame levelled at him for the way the club's title charge has crumbled in recent weeks. Arteta's side have topped the table for the majority of the campaign, but in the last few weeks have capitulated under the weight of expectation and handed momentum to reigning champions Manchester City.
As a result, the Gunners have faced some criticism for the first time this term and Odegaard has not been exempt. Manchester United legend and Sky Sports regular Gary Neville recently raised doubts over the Norway international's ability.
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 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."
With that in mind, Arteta's comments after Tuesday's 3-1 win over Chelsea, during which Odegaard netted a brace and looked back to his brilliant best, are particularly telling.
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"He has 14 goals this season, his contribution to the team, his leadership skills, I'm really pleased with him."
The fact the Spaniard singled out Odegaard's leadership suggests he is keen to defend Arsenal's skipper amid the external question marks raised over his ability to lead the dressing room in tough times.
Arteta's sentiments were echoed by a key member of the Gunners squad in Zinchenko, who waxed lyrical over Odegaard after the full-time whistle against the Blues.
"It’s an incredible season for him, he’s an incredible player," the Ukraine international told ViaPlay Fotball.
"He’s our leader and so important for us on and off the pitch. I’m so happy for him and I hope he’s going to do even better and will score even more."
As mentioned by Arteta, Odegaard's brace took the 24-year-old's tally up to 14 in the league so far this season, making the Arsenal skipper one of the highest scoring midfielder's in the Premier League this term.
