Martin Odegaard has lauded Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah after the striker was once again on the scoresheet in the Gunners’ 4-2 New Year’s Eve win against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, the Arsenal captain was full of praise for the 23-year-old striker, who has replaced Gabriel Jesus with great success since the Premier League with Nketiah scoring in consecutive matches for the north London side.
With Odegaard also in sensational form, the pair have been instrumental in Arsenal’s domination in the English top-flight, with Mikel Arteta’s side now seven points clear of Manchester City, who this week face Chelsea whilst the Gunners host Newcastle United.
Indeed, real hope is building around Arsenal supporters that something special could be on the cards this season. And for Odegaard, Nketiah’s performance against Brighton showed that the Gunners have a real option to lead the line with Jesus out on the sidelines.
Odegaard said when asked about Nketiah’s form: “When a player like that (Jesus) is injured you will always miss him. He has great quality and great personality. He still gives us a lot outside the pitch. The energy he gives and everything at the training ground he still gives a lot.
The 24-year-old Norwegian international later added: “But all the players need to step up when you miss someone like that and we have done excellent. Credit to Eddie to come in like that and perform like this. It is amazing to see.”
Odegaard’s goals and assists might be stealing headlines, but the midfielder is right to laud Nketiah as an important player, with the £100,000-a-week striker showing exactly why Arteta decided to keep the forward this summer decided calls from supporters to find a replacement.
With a hard stretch of games now coming up for Arsenal, Nketiah’s form will be crucial, with Odegaard seemingly keen to see the England youth international take his game to another level against the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham this month.
