Rob Green has suggested that Chelsea didn’t give one Arsenal star the respect he deserved last night as the player in question then went on to punish the Blues.
The Gunners were on fire at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night as braces from Kai Havertz and Ben White inspired Arsenal to a 5-0 win against Chelsea, with Leandro Trossard also on the scoresheet in the first-half.
With some Chelsea fans even praising Havertz at full-time, it was a game where Arsenal’s true quality was laid bare for all to see, with the result giving supporters the confidence they need going into the final four games of the season.
Yet Green has now claimed that Chelsea didn’t handle one Arsenal player correctly, being punished in the process.
Chelsea ‘willingly’ let Martin Odegaard have space in Arsenal masterclass
Speaking on Football Daily, the former Chelsea keeper suggested that the Blues gave Martin Odegaard the space needed for the Arsenal midfielder to enjoy what was to be one of his best Premier League performances to date.
The 25-year-old created eight chances, equalling an Arsenal record set by Mesut Ozil as Odegaard registered two assists against Chelsea in what was a masterclass of a performance from the Norwegian international.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Arsenal star Martin Odegaard from girlfriend to £65k car
And for Green, Chelsea not giving Odegaard the respect he deserved led to the display, with the pundit saying: “He’s a key man for them and it’s noticeable that when he plays well, on and off the ball, they play so well.
“[As an opposition] you have your team meetings before the game and you say ‘this is the man to stop, do not give him space or time’. Chelsea were willingly letting him have that space in the second half. Arsenal had a party and really turned it on, and Odegaard in particular.”
Odegaard played Chelsea for fools at the Emirates Stadium
Odegaard has been on a playmaking tear since the turn of the year, with the midfielder becoming Arsenal’s main creative force resulting in the Gunners becoming almost unstoppable when going forward.
And Odegaard played Chelsea for fools at the Emirates Stadium last night, with the Norwegian international enjoying arguably his best game yet for Arsenal in 2024 and inspiring the Gunners to a huge win against their London rivals.
Indeed, Arsenal will want more from Odegaard in the final four games of the season, and the midfielder will want to provide just that against the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United.