Arsenal have had several outstanding performers this season, but Gary Neville believes one has been a level above the rest.
Mikel Arteta’s side fell just short of Premier League glory, and he will want to strengthen the depth of his squad in several areas to try and win some silverware next season.
Some of Arsenal’s best players are tasked with playing nearly every game, with Bukayo Saka in particular causing concern over his heavy workload.
However, this may simply be down to the fact that these are players of such quality that there is no natural replacement for them, in the squad or the transfer market.
Neville has now named the one Arsenal player Arteta cannot do without, and also claimed that this star has been the best out of anyone in the Premier League this season.
Gary Neville claims Martin Odegaard is irreplaceable for Arsenal
Speaking on the Stick To Football Podcast, Neville claimed that Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is not only their most important player, but was also the best in the Premier League this season.
“Odegaard actually is probably the biggest risk in terms of you can’t replace, there’s no like him,” he stated.
“He’s the one player that I think in the squad that to me looks like – I mean I named him player of the year, I thought he was the best player we’ve seen this season.”
How can Arsenal cover for Martin Odegaard absence?
Arsenal do have Fabio Vieira, Emile Smith Rowe and Leandro Trossard as attacking midfielders, as well as Kai Havertz. However, Odegaard’s quality is a level above nearly everyone in his position in Europe right now.
The £30m signing from Real Madrid led the top five leagues for passes into the penalty area, whilst his work rate helps Arteta’s side in the press, and his link-up play on the right hand side also helps Bukayo Saka perform to his best level.
The Norweigan’s absence was particularly felt when Arsenal lost 1-0 to Newcastle, as despite impressing with the ball at times, there was simply no creatvity without his final ball in the team.
Odegaard hit a different level of performance this season, and he has shown why he wears the captain’s armband as one of the best players and key figures at the club.