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Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard names the toughest defender he has ever faced in the Premier League

Brogan Clasper

Tue 26 November 2024 9:45, UK

Arsenal have been boosted by the return of their captain Martin Odegaard over their last two games.

And it has been an immediate response from Odegaard who ❀has provided an assist in each of the games against Chelsea and Nottingham Forest.

Mikel Arteta’s side have 🗹been able to keep pace with the sides around them in the league but are still well adrift of the leaders.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
2	Man CityManchester City	12	7	2	3	22	17	5	23
3	ChelseaChelsea	12	6	4	2	23	14	9	22
4	ArsenalArsenal	12	6	4	2	21	12	9	22
5	BrightonBrighton	12	6	4	2	21	16	5	22

Ther🗹e is now a nine-point gap between the Gunners and Liverpool at the top of the league with just 🍒12 games having been played.

And speaking to the media, Odegaard has a🐠dmitted it is one of the current Liverpool players who he’s found most difficult to come upꩲ against.

• READ MORE: Arsenal and Tottenham scouted 🔴£20m star dubbed the new Roy Keane at the weekend

Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard hails Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk as toughest opponent

Alan Shearer waxed lyrical about Odegaard following the victory over Forest on the weekend in north Londo🧜n.

However, the Norway international has not exactly found it straight forward against all of his opponents since making the move to 🅰north London.

Speaking to , Odegaard admitted he has found Virgil van Dijk to be his toughest-ever opponent.

Odegaard was still sidelined for Liverpool’s trip to the Emirates earl🧸ier this season where the two sides shared the points.

Van Dijk was able to get on the scoreline as 𓆏the Reds secured thꦫemselves a 2-2 draw against the Gunners.

However, Arsenal target Alexander Is🍰ak has rated Van Dijk below William Saliba and Gabriel Magalh🐲aes in a recent interview.

• READ MORE: Owen Hargreaves names the Arsenal player who was the ‘star of the show’ v Nottingh🍨am Forest

Martin Odegaard’s return has revitalised Arsenal

Suffering an ankle injury on international duty, Odegaard’s absence marked a huge loss for Arsenal early 🥃on in the season.

But he has shown, in the two games since his return, just how much the Gun🦂ners have missed him with two assists already registered.

Odegaard was hailed for his assist against Forest on the weekend as he p🧸rovided Bukayo Saka with the opening goal of the game.

• 92 minutes played
• 1 assist
• 83 touches
• 90% pass accuracy
• 6 key passes
• 3/4 successful dribbles

Arteta will just be hoping Odegaard is able to avoid any injury issues over the festive period wܫitജh Arsenal back in action again on Tuesday night in the Champions League.