‘He’s number one’: Sky Sports pundit now thinks bargain Arsenal signing is best in the country

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Arsenal playmaker Martin Odegaard has been praised by Jamie Redknapp, who thinks he is the top midfielder in the Premier League.

Redknapp was speaking to Sky Sports following Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Fulham on Sunday afternoon.

Odegaard was outstanding and killed off the game before half-time by burying a left-footed strike behind former Gunners teammate Bernd Leno.

Arsenal played some beautiful football against Fulham, especially in the first half, and Odegaard was central to it all.

Redknapp raved about Odegaard after the final whistle, suggesting that he is now the ‘number one’ midfielder in the Premier League.

Redknapp feels ‘something isn’t quite right’ with Kevin De Bruyne and Odegaard has now overtaken him as the top midfielder in the country.

The former Tottenham man added that time seems to stand still when he has the ball whilst praising Odegaard’s leadership role at Arsenal.

“Right now,” said Redknapp. “Normally, you would say Kevin De Bruyne is the best midfield player not just in the Premier League but in the world, but something isn’t quite right, he’s not playing as many games as he’d like, but Odegaard does this thing, where – all great players possess it – time stands still when he has the ball. The calmness that he possesses, he’s scored four or five goals like that with his left foot. He’s the captain, he’s the leader, he’s number one and he’s leading that team,” he added.

Martin Odegaard has become a bargain for Arsenal

Odegaard joined Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid in January 2021 after struggling for playing time in the Spanish capital.

The Norwegian’s loan spell was decent if not absolutely spectacular, and some Arsenal fans urged the club to sign James Maddison instead.

Arsenal did end up signing Odegaard permanently though, snapping him up for around £30million plus bonuses.

Odegaard had his ups and downs last season but that fee is now looking like an absolute snip.

Odegaard has become Arsenal’s leader on the pitch and his numbers are hugely impressive; 10 goals and six assists in 26 Premier League games.

The 24-year-old is so elegant on the ball and his creativity in the final third is taking Arsenal to another level.

Arsenal fans can expect to see more magic from Odegaard moving forward and it may well be that he is taking over from De Bruyne as the Premier League’s top midfielder.