Martin Odegaard has lauded Mikel Arteta's remarkable attention to detail and believes that the Spaniard's meticulous methods have been the driving force behind his own sensational form.
Odegaard, 24, has played a key role in an Arsenal side that have emerged as unlikely title contenders under the guidance of Arteta this year. After a late implosion cost the Gunners a top-four finish last term, the Londoners have been the surprise package in the Premier League this season and are currently eight points clear of Manchester City at the summit of the domestic standings.
Arsenal last won the Premier League crown back in 2004 under Arsene Wenger but are now tantalisingly close to ending their 19-year title drought - and Odegaard has stressed that Arteta's influence cannot be understated.
Some fans had called for Arteta to leave the club in the wake of their late implosion last season which cost them Champions League football, but the Gunners boss has rewarded the faith of the Arsenal hierarchy this term. And Odegaard - who was handed the club captaincy by Arteta in the summer - claims he has never worked with anybody like him before.
Speaking ahead of Norway's Euro 2024 qualifier against Spain on Saturday, Odegaard shed some light on the rigorous work that Arteta undertakes. He told TV2 : “It has surprised me, actually, how detail-oriented he and the whole team are. I’ve never encountered anything like it, with people who see football that way and who see details as specifically as he does.
“It can be simple little things or more big things. It’s extremely detailed and a lot of little things we talk about, watching video after every game and all that. It’s fun working with him and the team. It works.”
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On a personal level, Odegaard is enjoying a fine season: his tally of 10 goals and seven assists in all competitions means he has already surpassed the total of goal contributions he racked up last term.
And Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp believes that the Norwegian international is currently the best midfielder in the Premier League. Speaking after Odegaard scored in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Fulham prior to the international break, Redknapp told Sky Sports: “Right now he’s number one. There’s nobody [better]. 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 number one [in the Premier League] and he's leading that team.”
