‘He’s petrified of him’: Ian Wright wowed by Arsenal duo against West Ham

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Ian Wright says Aaron Creswell was ‘petrified’ of Martin Odegaard during Arsenal’s 3-1 win over West Ham United on Boxing Day.

Despite falling behind, Mikel Arteta’s men showcased their worth, with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah all getting on the scoresheet for the Premier League leaders.

Odegaard played a part in Arsenal’s equalising goal because, after he cut onto his left foot from the right channel, his tame shot inadvertently became a through ball for Saka, whose excellent first touch was then met by a brilliant composed finish.

That’s when there was only going to be one winner and it proceeded to result in only one-way traffic in the capital.

All three of Arsenal’s forward line got on the scoresheet, with legendary duo Thierry Henry and Arsene Wenger both in attendance.

Nonetheless, this is what another club legend made of Arsenal’s win, as he was impressed by the role Odegaard and Saka played, as he told Premier League Productions (26/12/22 at 10:00 pm).

“Martin Odegaard, when he cut inside here, you can see the width and space he’s got once he does that,” said Wright. “You say it’s a bit of luck. But his touch (Saka’s) was fantastic.

“He’s come in off the edge there. You could see Cresswell is petrified of him. Coufal has dropped too far in. And that touch (from Saka) there is fantastic, then bam!

“Of course, you have to say there is a bit of luck there, it wasn’t hitting the target (Odegaard’s shot that led to Saka’s goal), but you get the luck that you deserve.”

WHAT WORLD CUP BREAK?

A lot was made of Arsenal losing momentum when they headed for the World Cup break in November, but those three points, and most importantly that performance, suggest otherwise.

Arsenal are in a title race, without a doubt, they are seven points clear of second-placed Newcastle United who have played a game extra and a further eight points clear of third-placed Manchester City, who have played a game less.

Either way, this is the chance for the Gunners to end that long-wait to win a title because, whilst the aim was to get back into Champions League football at the start of the campaign, the feeling and belief amongst fans is a lot different now.