Arsenal legend Paul Merson has ranked Gunners captain Martin Odegaard at number 5 in his Sportskeeda list of the Premier League’s top midfielders.
The 23-year-old has made a huge impact at the Emirates Stadium since his initial loan move in January 2021.
Arsenal subsequently snapped the Norway captain up from Real Madrid that summer for a reported £34million.
Odegaard has played 67 games for the Gunners and established himself as one of their most consistent players.
His goal contribution tally has been impressive too. He has 12 goals and seven assists to his name in red and white.
Odegaard has hit the ground running as Arsenal captain too.
He has helped the team go top of the Premier League table after seven games, scoring three goals along the way.
Merson named Odegaard in his top five list, while the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Phil Foden and Mason Mount missed out.
“At the moment, I’ll put Martin Odegaard at #5 because he’s taken Arsenal to another level this season,” he wrote.
“He’s got a swagger about the way he plays and moves. While he’s also added goals to his game.
“Odegaard has been around for a while, so it’s easy to forget he’s only 23.
“The fact that he’s Arsenal’s captain at such a young age shows how highly Mikel Arteta rates him.
“I like Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Phil Foden and the likes. But Odegaard is someone who has already made a massive impact this season.
“He plays in a position where he has to make things happen and he’s done just that as Arsenal find themselves at the top of the Premier League table with 18 points from seven games.”
