‘EXCEPTIONAL’ – Mikel Arteta praises Martin Odegaard’s huge energy after Arsenal captain has 100% Duels won and become the first player to create 50+ chances in Europe
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Martin Odegaard following his exceptional performance against Burnley in the Premier League.
The Gunners continued their rich vein of form with a fifth successive league win. They cruised to a comfortable 5-0 victory at Turf Moor.
Odegaard started the scoring after just four minutes on the clock and also provided the assist for Bukayo Saka’s second goal of the encounter.
Martin Odegaard is the first player to create 50+ chances from open play in Europe’s top five leagues this season
The Norwegian ended the game with 88 touches and 61 passes. He created three chances and won 100 per cent of his take-ons and aerial duels.
Speaking after the 5-0 rout, Arteta was delighted for the club captain. He said that Odegaard is in a ‘really good’ moment and ‘hitting form’ at the right time.
He told Arsenal.com: “I think confidence-wise he’s in a really good moment, and physically as well with the way he applies himself; defending, attacking, the connection, the movement that he gave us on the right-hand side, it’s really good. He’s hitting form.”
Odegaard placed his hands over his ears after his goal at Turf Moor amid recent criticism of Arsenal over celebrating. When asked about it, Arteta added: “I don’t know, I didn’t notice that he made that gesture.”
“But he was really happy in the dressing room. The way he played again today, he was exceptional. I don’t think he needs to send any message, he needs to be himself.”
Odegaard ran the show at Turf Moor yesterday and the £30 million man was central to Arsenal’s best moments in the game.
With the likes of Odegaard finding his best form at just the right time for Arsenal, Arteta’s men are right back in the hunt for the Premier League title this season.
Arsenal have now registered five successive league wins since the start of the calendar year. This is the first time in their history that they have managed to achieve the feat.
The club have been in sparkling scoring form with 21 goals in those victories. The Dubai camp has done wonders, having scored just four goals in the five games prior to the trip.
When his team plays Porto in the Champions League, Arteta will be hoping that his team can maintain their great run. On Wednesday, they go to the Estadio do Dragao for the first leg of the round of 16.
In their last three away trips to Porto, the Gunners have not won, drawing once and losing twice. They have the chance to break the run and gain a useful lead going into the second leg.