Eden Hazard has suggested that one current Arsenal player is actually better than Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland.
The Gunners have several world-class players in their squad. Mikel Arteta has assembled a spectacular side, and that has helped him come close to winning the Premier League title in two consecutive seasons.
Chelsea legend Hazard seems to be a big fan of one particular Arsenal player, so much so that he rates him higher than Haaland.
Eden Hazard picks Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard over Erling Haaland as Norway’s best player
Arsenal signed Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid in January 2021, initially on a loan deal which was made permanent for £30 million in the following summer.
The Norway international has been an unbelievable player for the Gunners.
He quickly became the main man in Arteta’s attacking midfield role, and his leadership on the pitch has been phenomenal as well since he joined the club. He is irreplaceable at Arsenal right now.
To add to that, Odegaard’s numbers have been really good too. Since the start of the 2022/23 season, the midfielder has scored 26 goals and provided 18 assists.
That is a very good return for an attacking midfielder, and the fact that he is still only 25 means he will only get better in the coming years.
Hazard was one of the best players in the world during his time at Chelsea. He knows a good player when he sees one, and he seems to rate Odegaard very highly.
In a video on talkSPORT, Hazard was given a country and asked to name the best player from there. When Norway was put in front of him, he quickly replied: “Odegaard!”
The interviewer tried to get Hazard to change his answer to Haaland, but the Belgian stuck by his original response.
“No, I’ll say Odegaard because I’ve played with him.”
READ MORE: Martin Odegaard becomes only player to do one thing twice in Premier League since 2016/17
The one very underrated stat about Odegaard
When people hear Odegaard’s name, most of them will immediately think about his quality on the ball, vision and ability to pick out a pass.
The Norwegian is absolutely incredible at all of the above, but he also possesses one trait that rarely gets the credit it deserves.
Odegaard’s work-rate is up there with the best in the Premier League. He’s usually the one that leads Arsenal’s press and he gives his all every single game.
In the 2023/24 season, Odegaard covered a total distance of 414 kilometres. Only four other players in the entire division managed to cover more ground (CIES).
Odegaard’s class on the ball combined with his magnificent work ethic makes him a complete player.