Arsenal - Paul Merson
Arsenal - Paul Merson
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Captains who dictate the tempo from midfield often receive the highest praise once a home win has moved a side level at the top of the table. A player who looks comfortable on the ball and continues to influence both ends of the pitch can stand out even when the overall performance is described as controlled rather than dominant. Those assessments tend to focus on consistency across recent matches rather than a single afternoon.
The Norwegian has featured prominently in Arsenal’s best passages this season and has now been singled out again after the latest Premier League fixture. His ability to find space and deliver with his left foot has been highlighted by a former midfielder who watched the game for Sky Sports. The result itself was never in serious doubt once the second goal arrived.
Arsenal moved level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table after securing a 2-0 victory over Everton at the Emirates. Ezri Konsa bundled home a seventh-minute opener to score his first goal for the club since arriving from Aston Villa. Gabriel Magalhaes then doubled the advantage in the second half to seal all three points.
Paul Merson has singled out Martin Odegaard for special praise following Arsenal’s routine Premier League victory over Everton. The former midfielder believes the Norwegian has been the standout performer for Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing side so far this season. Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson heaped praise on the Arsenal playmaker.
Martin Ødegaard had 115 touches vs Everton, the most by any Arsenal player in a single Premier League match this season.
Skipper. 🇳🇴 https://t.co/4jiQk2RTdZ
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) October 25, 2026
“I thought Odegaard was outstanding, if you had to pick someone,” he explained. “He just ticks it all over, he’s so comfortable, he’s got a great left foot, he’s just a nice, nice player. When he’s in the mood and he has been in the mood this season, his confidence has been high, he’s been the one for me.”
Despite the final scoreline, Arsenal did not have everything their own way against the Merseyside outfit. A smart save from Jordan Pickford initially denied the hosts before Konsa gambled to tap in the rebound from close range. “I wouldn’t say it was easy, easy because that would be disrespectful to Everton but it was comfortable,” Merson noted. “It was a good save by Jordan Pickford and Konsa just gambled, comes in and taps it in from a yard out. You then think it’s going to be four, five or six and they didn’t, Everton played well after that, played some nice football.”
“Everton just haven’t got that real threat. Thierno Barry had a really good chance and it’s a different game if that goes in. Arsenal then scored another really good goal from Gabriel.” The north London side will now temporarily turn their attention to cup competition. Arsenal travel to face League Two outfit Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Tuesday night. After that midweek assignment, Arteta’s squad faces a massive test of their domestic credentials when they switch their focus back to the Premier League for a clash against Liverpool at Anfield next Sunday.
Odegaard’s form has been one of the more consistent features of Arsenal’s season so far. His ability to control the tempo and create space for others has drawn repeated praise, and Merson’s latest comments underline the impact he continues to have when the side are at their most fluid. The captain will be expected to maintain that level as the fixtures continue to arrive in quick succession.