'The real deal': Martin Keown blown away by £30m Arsenal star who won 100% dribbles vs Napoli
Arsenal legend Martin Keown has heaped praise on Martin Odegaard following the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Napoli in the Champions League opener.
The Gunners picked up a fifth-straight victory this campaign in Naples yesterday. They were thoroughly dominant and were guilty of missing several big chances.
The likes of Piero Hincapie, Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Mikel Merino squandered golden scoring opportunities, but it was left to captain Odegaard to win it.
The Norwegian has been in stupendous form for the Gunners this term. He scored his fourth goal in five appearances with a sensational strike from the edge of the box.
Odegaard should have had a few assists too, but his goal ultimately proved the difference as Arsenal began their Champions League league phase with three points.
Speaking on TNT Sports, Keown was delighted for the 27-year-old and said that he looks ‘the real deal’.
Keown said: “Odegaard is the icing on the cake. He looks the real deal. Bruno coming off the bench, the squad being used, it’s a nice night for the manager.”
Odegaard stole the show against Napoli on the road yesterday. The £30 million signing had 121 touches and completed 91 passes. He registered six key passes.
The Gunners skipper also won five duels and 100 percent of his dribbles (3/3) alongside five recoveries. He capped the performance with an outstanding goal.
Odegaard struggled to produce sufficient power in his shots last term on the back of a knee injury but now appears fully fit and in the form of his life for Arsenal.
Arsenal won a long-awaited Premier League title last season with an inconsistent Odegaard. His return to peak form should only boost their chances of defending their English crown.
The Gunners have no doubt looked a better attacking outfit with the Norwegian back to his old self, and they will be aiming to go all the way in the Champions League too.
Arsenal will be back in Premier League action against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday evening. Manager Mikel Arteta is bound to make a few changes.
Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly were unused substitutes yesterday. The pair are most likely to be reinstated into the starting XI against the Black Cats this weekend.
The club drew 2-2 in the same fixture last season. Brian Brobbey scored a late equaliser for Sunderland in stoppage time. Arteta will want nothing less than a victory this time.
Stats from Sofascore.com
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