Jamie Redknapp believes that Martin Odegaard has now surpassed Kevin De Bruyne as the best creative midfielder in the Premier League. The 24-year-old put in another impressive performance at the weekend as Arsenal waltzed away from Craven Cottage 3-0 victors.
Odegaard netted the Gunners' third of the afternoon against Fulham, taking his goal tally to double figures in the league for the first time in his career. He has also provided a further seven assists in this term, further proving his worth to Arsenal's title charge.
In one less game, De Bruyne has managed just as many goals contributions in the Premier League this season as the Norway international. But, despite the Manchester City star's efforts, Redknapp is insistent that Odegaard has overtaken the Belgian now.
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"Right now he’s No. 1. There’s nobody [better]," said the former Liverpool midfielder on Sky Sports, as quoted by the Mirror. "Normally we would say Kevin De Bruyne is the best midfield player, not just in the Premier League but the world, but something isn’t quite right.
"He isn’t playing as many games as he’d like. But Odegaard does this thing where – all great players possess it – it’s like time stands still when he has the ball.
"Most players [would rush the shot], especially midfield players as we’re not used to getting in those situations. But the calmness that he possesses, he’s scored four or five goals like that with that left foot.
"He’s the captain, he’s the leader. Yeah, for me he’s No. 1 [in the Premier League]. And he’s leading that team."
In December, Arteta listed four area where Odegaard can still improve. And, the Norwegian appears to have taken the Arsenal boss' tips on board as he continues to impress week in, week out.
"He can be much better," the Spaniard said. "Physically he can improve in many areas. The way he can drive with the ball and eliminate people, his crossing, his passing range, can still be better.
"Defensively he is improving every single time, and [so is] that mentality to go on the pitch and win the game and have that mentality every three days. I was hoping – I don’t know if I was expecting – that he could show the talent that he has.
"Martin is in a really good moment. He is defining games, he is having a different kind of presence on the pitch. He has had the continuity and the minutes and the role in the team that he needed to shine.
"We try that with every player, to create the right environment and football philosophy and the right people around him to be successful."
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