Cesc Fabregas: Arsenal have an ‘intelligent’ player that is ‘tricky’ for teams to deal with

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Cesc Fabregas told BT Sport on Saturday that he is a big fan of Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, comparing the Norwegian to himself – and praising him for the way he has reacted to wearing the armband for Arsenal and Norway.

Odegaard, 23, returned for Arsenal after missing the last two Premier League games to start, and shine, against Spurs. The attacking heartbeat in the middle of the park, as the Gunners dominated from start to finish, securing a 3-1 win.

Earning the captain’s armband in the summer, Odgeaard has made a stunning start to the campaign. Mikel Arteta has now fully established an identity at Arsenal, and Odegaard is a box-to-box playmaker in a 4-1-4-1 system that works.

Granit Xhaka has been pushed alongside Odegaard with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka out wide – in front of Thomas Partey. It was too much for Tottenham on Saturday. Fabregas compared Odegaard to himself, in his praise.

“I like his style, his intelligence, the way he moves and finds always these little pockets where you make the difference,” Fabregas said. “In football, you don’t have a lot of space and he’s very tricky and has a good eye for the final ball.

“He has a lot of responsibility. He’s the captain of Norway. A very young captain of Arsenal. It’s not an easy task for him and he’s responding very well. He reminds me of me when I took the armband at 21. It’s not easy. It’s a big, big club.”

Fabregas a big fan of Arsenal captain Odegaard after win over Tottenham

Odegaard was not the only player to shine for Arsenal on Sunday. Gabriel Jesus was a nuisance throughout, Swiss ace Xhaka is enjoying a new lease of life and scored again – while Partey scored a stunning goal from the edge of the area.

In defence, William Saliba was in stunning form. Ben White continues to shine out of position at right-back. While plenty are impressing, £79k-a-week Odegaard continues to get better and better – thriving with the armband.

Some players will struggle with the armband, just ask Xhaka. But with Odegaard wearing it, it seems to suit him. From the outset, he seems like a quiet leader and needs the likes of Xhaka in terms of being vocal. But he exudes quality.