William Saliba hailed Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard after his return to action
The Gunners haven't suffered defeat since the Norwegian came back from injury
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By DOMINIC KING
Published: 07:00 EST, 27 November 2024 | Updated: 07:00 EST, 27 November 2024
William Saliba is praying Martin Odegaard stays injury free as he summed up his importance to Arsenal by calling him one of the world’s best midfielders.
Arsenal have looked a different team since Odegaard returned to action, as they rifled eight goals past Nottingham Forest and Sporting Lisbon to secure two wins that have done wonders for morale; there was certainly a swagger about the players as they left Estadio Jose Alvalade on Tuesday night.
It would be ridiculous to call Arsenal a one-man band but one man’s influence should not be underestimated, as Odegaard’s guile and creativity – not to mention his leadership – has seemed to release the tension in those who had struggled during his absence.
Saliba, who himself was immense during a 5-1 skewering of Sporting that reinvigorated Arsenal’s Champions League campaign, did not try to disguise the esteem in which he holds the Norwegian – nor did he attempt to underplay his importance to what Mikel Arteta’s squad are aiming to achieve.
‘Of course, it is a bit different when he is here,’ said Saliba. ‘He is one of the best players in the world. We are so happy to have him back. We are better with him and I hope he doesn’t get injured again. We have to enjoy playing with him. You can see we are better with him.’
This opened a different debate. When Odegaard is purring, deploying his left foot like a magic wand, there is nobody on the continent who can do what he does and there was a wry smile when it was put to Saliba where he would rank Arsenal’s number eight.
William Saliba revealed Martin Odegaard's return from injury has improved morale in the Arsenal camp
Gunners captain was instrumental as Mikel Arteta's side demolished Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday
Saliba added that his team-mate is one of the top three midfielders in Europe along with Kevin De Bruyne and Declan Rice
Asked if Odegaard was the best midfielder in Europe, he replied: ‘Yeah… erm, top three! I don’t want to pressure him too much. I think top three. I love this guy. Honestly, every game I’m shocked because he does something new on the field that you haven’t seen. He’s a really, really top player.
‘He is a top professional, so he worked hard at the training ground (to get fit again). I’m not surprised that he came back like this but it is not easy when you haven’t played for four weeks to come back at this level.’
So who were the other two midfielders Saliba put in the same bracket as Odegaard?
‘Ah! (Kevin) De Bruyne,’ he replied, before diplomatically adding after a pause. ‘Declan Rice!’
The light tone of the conversation reflected the mood of the group in general and Saliba, who was proud to have made his 100th appearance for Arsenal in Lisbon, feels there is an opportunity to truly kickstart a campaign that threatened to run aground before the international break.
Saturday’s trip to West Ham – with all the emotion that brings – will ask more questions of Arsenal, especially after their own morale-boosting win at Newcastle, but Arteta has got his squad back to full health, options aplenty and the France international feels they are ready to launch an attack.
‘It is much better,’ said Saliba. ‘We had two or three weeks before the international break when it was really tough. But now we have played two very good games. It is not enough, we have to keep going like this. There is a big game at West Ham but it’s good for the confidence we won like this.
‘Let’s keep going. Yes, we can feel the momentum. The coach has always told us to believe in ourselves because we are a really good team. We had some bad times but we believe the good times are coming. We will stick together and keep going like that.’
ArsenalMartin Odegaard