Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville were in agreement as they named Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard their young player of the Premier League season.
With Erling Haaland ruled out of the pundits’ end-of-season awards having been named the overall player of the year, Carragher initially opted for Bukayo Saka before he realised the 24-year-old Odegaard was eligible.
“I love him, I think he’s been fantastic,” the former Liverpool defender declared of Saka on Monday Night Football, before realising his alternative as he spotted Neville’s nomination.
“I do think Odegaard has been Arsenal’s best player - I thought he was too old - 24 is too old to be the young player.”
Ex-Manchester United star Neville labelled the Norwegian midfielder his young player of the campaign for his performances even as Arsenal’s title challenge dropped off.
He said: “I was surprised and shocked when I found out Odegaard was captain of Arsenal, I was like, ‘Where’s that come from?’.
“I’d agree with Jamie, I think he’s been their best player. Even in this last very difficult period I think he’s been outstanding, his quality on the ball, the way that he plays. He’d fit in at Manchester City with real ease.
“I love Saka, he plays football like we’d all want to as a kid. He enjoys everything that he does and I love him to bits. But Odegaard has been the oustanding player for Arsenal.”
