08 May 2023 , 23:34
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Jamie Carragher has echoed Micah Richards sentiment in his praise for Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and even likened him to Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne.
The Gunners skipper has enjoyed a sensational season that has seen him net 15 goals this term, while breaking an impressive record in the process. Odegaard's most recent goal came in the form of a long-range strike away at in-form Newcastle as Arsenal recorded a hard-fought 2-0 victory to become just the second side to beat the Magpies on their own patch this term.
A win on Tyneside also keeps Arsenal's slim title hopes alive, as they now sit one point behind City having played one game more. Carragher admitted that he viewed the fixture as one where the Gunners' dreams of a first league title since 2004 could have come to an end.
Given that it hasn't yet, Carragher opted to wax lyrical over Odegaard's influence and explained how he sees shades of De Bruyne in Arsenal's young midfield maestro.
"They were hugely impressive, I think it was a game people felt that would end this title race and put Man City in even more of a pole position," Carragher told Sky Sports' Monday Night Football. "This man Odegaard gets a goal in a captain’s performance.
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"He is Arsenal’s Kevin De Bruyne if you like. He is the guy that has to take the responsibility of getting on the ball for Arsenal."
HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Martin Odegaard Arsenal's answer to Kevin De Bruyne? Comment below
Jamie Carragher has compared Martin Odegaard to Man City ace Kevin De Bruyne (Getty Images)The comments were incredibly similar to those of Richards, who went one further and claimed he felt sorry for Odegaard, as the Norway national team captain would have been the favourite for the Premier League's Player of the Year were it not for Erling Haaland.
"If it hadn't been for Erling Haaland, Arsenal's captain would be odds-on for Player of the Year," Richards wrote for The Mail.
"He reminds me of David Silva in so many ways, with his quiet authority and leadership," the former City right-back continued.
"You wouldn't know David was in a room sometimes, but on the pitch he made you follow him through his brilliance and that is what Odegaard is doing — 15 goals from midfield (and not one penalty) is just exceptional.
"Arsenal's business in getting Odegaard on loan, restoring his confidence and then buying him outright was a masterstroke. He's going to get even better."
Odegaard's goal against Newcastle also helped seal his place in Arsenal history, as it meant two Gunners players have notched 15 or more in a Premier League season for the first time ever, the other being Gabriel Martinelli.