Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been speaking very highly of club captain Martin Odegaard ahead of the Gunners' high-octane clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Signed for a fee believed to be in the region of £34 million from Real Madrid, the Norwegian international has been a stellar hit since arriving in north London permanently.
Operating within the right half-space predominantly, Odegaard has given a creative presence between the lines, combining and interchanging with Hale End graduate Bukayo Saka, forming an excellent partnership.
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But it's not just Odegaard's creativity that stands out. The 22-year-old is a crucial piece in the north Londoners' pressing game and provides ball progression in both the first and second phases when he drops deep to receive the ball.
His leadership qualities and ability to understand the tactical instructions Arteta provides enabled him to become the new club captain, with the Spaniard admiring Odegaard's off-the-field influence.
"He's a really humble, hungry player that has a tremendous quality," Arteta said. "He puts that quality to the service of the team. He's always willing to do things for others, and he's a great role model for the rest of the players and staff."
So far, Odegaard has started the new season brilliantly, notching three goals in five league appearances. He is currently being assessed ahead of tomorrow afternoon's game following the injury he picked up against Aston Villa on Wednesday night.
It's been an emphatic start to the Premier League season for Arsenal, winning all fives games played, but Manchester United at Old Trafford is the first major test.
The Gunners haven't won at Old Trafford in the presence of fans for 16 years, but with momentum building, Arteta will be optimistic that his side can deliver both a strong performance and a positive result.
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