Arsenal’s Odegaard outshines senior players as Neville left red-faced

Martin Odegaard has proven Gary Neville wrong by stepping up during this week’s fixture against Chelsea. The Norwegian star was in fantastic form as he led from the front, scoring twice en route to a 3-1 league win.

Arsenal have seemingly thrown away the league in recent weeks after giving up their solid eight-point advantage over Manchester City with three draws and a loss in their previous four games before the win over Chelsea.

Neville placed the blame on senior players Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Thomas Partey, who he believes haven’t been there for the younger players when they have been in need of guidance.

Speaking on The Overlap, he said: “I look at Martin Odegaard, fantastic professional. Oleksandr Zinchenko, great professional. But when you actually get to the highest pressurised moments in the biggest matches in the crux of the season, are they leaders then?

“Arsenal’s senior players, Partey, Zinchenko, Odegaard, in the most difficult period – when those younger players like Saka and Martinelli needed that guidance, Jesus needed telling to stop running around and just stand up front and be really disciplined in how you play – they didn’t impact the rest of their teammates on the pitch, I don’t believe. In fact, they contributed to the difficulties they were having in the matches.

“Xhaka at Anfield [referring to the incident with Trent Alexander-Arnold], Partey’s performances in the last few games, I think Zinchenko gave a goal away in one game as well – the Liverpool game and maybe West Ham as well – and Odegaard had probably his most difficult game as well against Manchester City.

“And then if you think of the huddle that Zinchenko did [against Southampton] and then Odegaard came over and said, ‘break up’. So those four players that are the leaders in that team have not been able – at the moment those younger players needed it – to really pull them together and keep them calm and composed. That to me has been apparent these last few weeks.”

But Odegaard showed his mettle by putting in a real captain’s performance to lead Arsenal to a comfortable victory and keep their title hopes alive while also leaving Neville red-faced. The likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka were quiet on the night as Odegaard took centre stage in what was the perfect response to Neville’s criticism. Zinchenko also played well while Partey came off the bench in the second half to help see them over the line but it was Odegaard who was the standout performer.

Arsenal now find themselves a point behind Manchester City, who also have a game in hand. They will have to win all of their remaining games against Newcastle, Brighton, Nottingham Forest and Wolves and hope that the Sky Blues drop points in two of their last five games.