Michael Owen has named Arsenal duo Martin Odegaard and centre-back William Saliba in his 2022/23 Premier League Team of the Season.
The final round of Premier League fixtures is upon us and it’s an unwanted dead rubber for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal against Wolves, after they blew their chances to become champions to Manchester City.
But that shouldn’t hide the fact that they have made huge strides this term and Owen feels William Saliba has been ‘immense’ at the back, whilst the man in the middle of the park, Martin Odegaard, has ‘stepped up to the mark’, as he told Premier League Productions (22/05/23 at 11:25 pm).
Whilst Saliba signed for the Gunners back in 2019, he only made his senior debut on the opening day of this campaign against Crystal Palace.
From the get-go, he started cooking and showcasing to his fans what they have been missing from the back.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that the 22-year-old got the nod in Owen’s Team of the Season, alongside some other must-have names.
“There are certain players that probably speak for themselves,” said Owen. “I can’t imagine anyone watching the Premier League this season, who isn’t going to have Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Kevin de Bruyne, Rodri, even Odegaard, Saliba has been immense. I think there are a few set in stone
On Odegaard selection: “His goals, his influence and he has stepped up to the mark this season. Arsenal have had a fantastic season themselves and to get their skipper in. He is one of two players that I have picked from the Arsenal team.”
SALIBA AND ODEGAARD DESERVING OF TEAM OF THE SEASON
Yes, Arsenal have tailed off at the wrong time of the season, but it’s no shame losing to this treble-chasing Manchester City side.
Plus, the likes of Odegaard and Saliba for many, many months have been out of this world.
And it could even be argued that Saliba’s absence, through injury in recent months, has been a key reason behind his team’s decline on the pitch.
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