Arsenal are competing with Manchester City at the top end of the Premier League, and some of their players are now among the very best in the division.
Declan Rice has arguably been the signing of the season, with his immense performances helping solidify Arsenal at the back whilst also providing output going forward.
Rice has been nominated for the Premier League Player Of The Year award alongside captain Martin Odegaard, whilst Gabriel Magalhaes can also consider himself unlucky to miss out.
Odegaard has been the creative hub in the Arsenal team, and his performance levels have reached a new high in recent months. He has now become one of the most important players in his side, and he has now been compared to his Man City counterpart Kevin de Bruyne.
Martin Odegaard compared to Kevin de Bruyne by Luton Town star Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu
Odegaard’s sensational performances this season have been praised by fellow Premier League player Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, with the Luton Town midfielder naming the Arsenal star as one of the toughest players he has played against.
“Either Martin Odegaard or Kevin De Bruyne,” he replied on Sky Sports when asked who his most difficult opponent was.
“Quality, world-class players. They are doing well for their clubs and their countries, so one of those two.
“I would probably say Kevin De Bruyne just a little bit. He can pass, he can score, he has got the vision, he can make runs off the ball, he is doing well with Haaland, he is setting each other up, so Kevin De Bruyne, yeah.”
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Martin Odegaard is operating at a world-class level for Arsenal
Odegaard has been one of the best playmakers in Europe this season, and has more open-play chances created, and accurate through-balls than anyone else.
The 25-year-old has thrived in a leadership role as the Arsenal captain, and his side have one of the best midfield rosters in European football with him and Rice operating together.
De Bruyne is one of the best midfielders in Premier League history, and has been exceptional for Man City since his return from injury, but Odegaard rightfully ranks above him in the Player Of The Year standings given his consistency since December after a slow start to the campaign.
