Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard heaped praise on teammate Declan Rice after his performance against Brighton & Hove Albion. The Norwegian could not help but talk about the 26-year-old after he played as a right-back due to injuries to Ben White and Jurrien Timber.
Speaking to the club's media team after the 2-1 win, Odegaard said that Rice played as a right-back, as though he had been doing it his entire career, and not for the first time. He believed that the Englishman did not look out of place and said (via Independent):
“It was an unbelievable performance from him (Rice). To play right-back, probably the first time in his life, and then do it the way he did it today was unbelievable, so a really, really good performance from him. And that’s just our team. Everyone is ready to do whatever it takes, and that (Rice’s performance) was another good example of that.”
Odegaard was relieved to end his goal-scoring drought as well, saying he had been waiting for it in recent months. He added that the link-up with Bukayo Saka was what led to the goal and said:
“I’ve been waiting for that one and working really hard to improve on the finishing. I like to be in those areas, and Bukayo (Saka), we know each other really well, he finds me there, and there was a little angle in the corner there, so it was a good goal. It was brilliant. As I said, we’ve been working really hard to get it, and it was there, so we’re really pleased.”
Odegaard scored the opening goal, while an own goal from a Declan Rice corner doubled the lead for Arsenal. Brighton pulled one back through Diego Gomez, but could not get an equalizer.
Mikel Arteta focused on Arsenal as Manchester City stay close
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is not thinking about other sides' performances this season, saying he is only focused on what he can control. He wants his players to deliver on the pitch in every game and said (via club website):
"We can only control what we do, and we are doing a lot of good things that I think we have to improve as well to have the margins better. We need more players back as well to have better options and maintain the team very, very fresh. Every three days is going to be a challenge, and we are up for it."
Arsenal remain two points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League table with 20 matches left in the season.