All four of Arsenal's attackers got on the scoresheet in the Gunners' thrilling victory over Brighton on New Year's Eve. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard both netted in the first half with Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli sealing the victory with strikes in the second 45, despite Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson goals for Brighton.
The win extended Arsenal's lead at the top of the table over Manchester City, who drew with Everton earlier in the day, to seven points making it only twice from 16 Premier League games that Arsenal have been unable to take maximum points.
Saturday's victory was all about the ruthless attacking display from Mikel Arteta's side and once again there was a player pulling the strings magnificently who has been told Arsenal would not be able to replace him.
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Since being made captain, Odegaard has taken his game to another level in north London and now that he has begun adding more goals and assists to his name, with one of each coming against Brighton, he is proving to be a wonderful signing from Arteta.
The Norwegian fired a loose ball into the ground that flew into the back of the net for his goal on the south coast, while his assist was quite special. Without breaking stride, the 24-year-old sent a delicious first-time pass from his own half beyond the Brighton defence with Martinelli sprinting in on goal and finishing expertly.
Following the game, all pundits could talk about was the exceptional performance of Odegaard, with the Arsenal skipper now likely being viewed as the club's most important player.
"I do think Odegaard is the one player they would struggle to replace,’" Danny Murphy said on BBC’s Match of the Day. They’ve got other talented players but, for me, they would struggle to replace him."
On Premier League Productions, Arsenal legend Ian Wright said: “He has been fantastic all season, Martin Odegaard, and he is actually getting better as the season has been going and as the games get more and more pressurised.”
Meanwhile Paul Merson provided a delightful comparison to a legend of another sport, saying on Sky Sports: "Martin Odegaard knows what he is doing before this ball comes he knows what he's doing and Martinelli knows what he is doing and he's away.
"That is Ronnie O'Sullivan in football. A lot of people don't see that pass, he is probably the only player on the pitch who sees that."
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