Arsenal hero Paul Merson's verdict of Martin Odegaard has been proved spectacularly wrong in recent weeks.
Odegaard joined the Gunners on a short term loan back in January of last season before eventually completing a permanent transfer to the Emirates Stadium in August.
However, Merson claimed that Mikel Arteta was making a mistake by signing the Norwegian international on a permanent basis, stating that it was a 'lazy' signing by the north London outfit.
Writing for the Daily Star in August, he said: "Mikel Arteta is making a mistake signing Martin Odegaard – and his job could soon be on the line.
"What are they doing signing Odegaard? If Odegaard really wanted to be at Arsenal he would have signed at the end of his loan.
"But he didn’t want to join them. He wanted to go back to Real Madrid. In days gone by that would have been it. Arsenal would have said - sorry, you’ve had your chance. Next!
"He didn’t exactly pull up any trees on loan did he? He only scored two goals! I think it’s a mistake. I think it’s another lazy signing. No other Premier League team was going for him."
The 22-year-old has since proved Merson wrong, consistently delivering excellent performances for Arsenal, including his impressive display during Sunday's 3-2 win against Watford.
Odegaard scored the opener after some excellent play down the right flank with Bukayo Saka and was also involved in the third goal, playing an inch-perfect pass to Alexandre Lacazette, who then assisted goalscorer Gabriel Martinelli.
The former Real Madrid playmaker has now notched five goals and three assists in the Premier League this term whilst also ranking seventh for SCA (shot-creating actions) per 90 minutes in the entire English top-flight.
