Manchester United ambassador and club legend Bryan Robson has hailed Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard as “the best” player in the Premier League.
Odegaard has endured a difficult year for Arsenal as he’s not been able to replicate the form he showed during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 seasons on a consistent basis.
The Norwegian’s attempts to regain his best form this season has been impacted by a couple injury setbacks.
In the Gunners’ 5-0 thrashing of Leeds last month, Odegaard was replaced in the first half after sustaining a shoulder problem which reduced him to a substitute role against Liverpool the following week.
Having seemingly made a full recovery to feature for Norway during the international break, the attacking midfielder suffered a reoccurrence of the shoulder injury against Nottingham Forest last weekend and missed the win over Athletic Club as a result.
Nevertheless, Robson remains a huge admirer of the Gunners captain and has gone as far to liken Odegaard as a modern-day version of himself.
Speaking to OLBG, Robson said: “I like Odegaard at Arsenal (as a modern-day comparison). Declan Rice as well.
“I don't think Declan can score as many goals but Odegaard got that tackling ability as well.
“I think Odegaard is as good as anybody. He's an excellent player, has got a great attitude, so I'd probably say in the Premier League at the moment, he would be the best.
“Then in my later career, Rodri I feel is a little bit like me as well because he protects the back four great and in my last four or five years, Sir Alex always wanted me to do that.
“He wanted me to sit and let the young lads like Giggs, Kanchelskis, Incy and them get forward while I'd always try and protect the back four. I think Rodri is excellent at doing that.”
Odegaard is a doubt to face Rodri’s Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium this weekend after limping off in Arsenal’s comfortable 3-0 win over Forest.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta should provide an update on his captain when he addressed the media in the pre-match press conference on Friday.
