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Don’t compare Odegaard to KDB… yet

Martin Odegaard is proving to be every bit as good as Mikel Arteta had hoped…but still isn’t ready to be compared to Kevin de Bruyne. writes MARK IRWIN.

Arsenal’s Norwegian international playmaker has been in sensational form since being handed the captain’s armband at the start of the season.

And Real Madrid are already kicking themselves for only getting £30million when they sold him to the Gunners in 2021 following a successful loan period at the Emirates.

Now Arteta is banking on the immaculate 24-year-old to keep spearheading his team’s unexpected title challenge…but is quick to play down comparisons to Manchester City superstar de Bruyne.

“They play in a similar position but they have very different qualities,” Arteta says.

“Martin is exceptional at what he does but he still has to grow in many areas and he knows that.

“Physically he can still improve, the way he can drive with the ball and eliminate people can be much better and also his crossing and his passing range.

“But his willingness to learn, his attitude and his application has been incredible since the day he joined us. And when you have all those ingredients good things normally happen.

“Martin is in a really good moment. He is defining games, having a real presence on the pitch and showing the talent I hoped he would bring to us when we signed him.”