Martin Keown proved himself to be one of the most formidable defenders in Premier League history during his time in north London.
During his time at Arsenal, the Englishman came up against some of the finest strikers to ever grace the English top flight.
Keown’s battles with Manchester United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy are there for all to see over the years with the Arsenal legend enjoying some huge moments.
Having won the Premier League three times, that would make him a fairly good judge of who is currently the most important player in the division.
Keown has already hailed Arsenal’s William Saliba and he thinks another player from the Gunners could well be named the league’s most important player.
Mikel Arteta manager / head coach of Arsenal and Martin Keown during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Arsenal FC at St Jam...
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Martin Keown says Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard is the Premier League’s best
Speaking on TalkSPORT, Keown has spoken incredibly highly of the Arsenal captain with Martin Odegaard returning from injury recently.
And the former Arsenal defender has claimed there is no player more important to their side than Odegaard is to the Gunners.
“He’s created 102 chances – more than anyone in the Premier League – and 41 times he’s retrieved the ball in the final third so in and out of possession,” he said.
“I’m struggling to think of a more important player in the Premier League.”
“To come back after six weeks out and hit the ground running in the way that he did shows how he’s applied himself when he’s been out. We’d become predictable in front of goal.”
Although the former defender has said the Gunners have the most important player in the league, Keown insists Arsenal need a huge turnaround to win the league.
Rio Ferdinand thinks Odegaard has become more important whilst injured
It is not just Keown who has recognised Odegaard’s importance at Arsenal this season with Rio Ferdinand sharing a similar verdict.
Speaking on TNT Sports earlier in the week, before their victory over Sporting CP, Ferdinand feels Odegaard’s absence has only boosted his value in north London.
“The crazy thing about Odegaard is that he’s actually become a better player whilst playing no games,” Ferdinand said.
During the seven Premier League games which Odegaard missed through injury, Arsenal lost two of those games and only won three times.
His return has already shown an immediate boost with Bukayo Saka saying how he loves playing with Odegaard in an Arsenal shirt.
Related Posts