William Saliba says he’s unsurprised by Martin Odegaard’s return to top form following his injury, describing the Arsenal captain as one of the three best midfielders in the world.
The captain produced another scintillating performance in his fourth game back from ankle ligament damage, inspiring the Gunners to a confidence-boosting 5-1 victory against Sporting Lisbon.
While the Norway international didn’t register an assist or get on the scoresheet, he still pulled the strings at the Estadio Jose Alvalade registering, according to The Athletic, the most touches (67), most progressive passes (4) and most carries (30). He also won the penalty that Bukayo Saka netted on 65 minutes to kill off any home side hopes of a comeback.
His performance didn’t go unnoticed by Saliba who told Arsenal.com: “I think he’s one of the best midfielders in the world and we are so happy to have him back.
“We are better with him so I hope he won’t get injured again. Of course, we have to enjoy playing with him. We can see since he’s back we are better.
“He’s top three [in the world]. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him but I think top three. I love this guy.
“He worked hard at the training ground so I’m not surprised that he came back [from injury] like this but of course, it’s not easy when you haven’t played for four weeks to come back at this level. I’m not in shock, he’s a top professional.”
Saliba’s praise was echoed by Bukayo Saka – the Arsenal player with whom the Norwegian arguably has the best on-field chemistry.
“He’s an unbelievable player,” the England international to TNT Sports.
“The day he returned there was a big smile on my face. You can see the chemistry we have, how much I enjoy playing with him, I’m happy he’s back and I hope he stays fit for the rest of the season.”
The challenge for Odegaard and company is to maintain the standards they’ve set in the last two games. With a nine point deficit to make up on Liverpool in the Premier League, there’s no margin for error if Arsenal are to mount a serious title challenge.
“I think we had two or three weeks before the international break when it was really tough, but now, we get back and we play two really good games,” acknowledged Saliba.
“But it’s not enough, we have to keep going like this and we have a big game on Saturday. But it’s good, it’s good for the confidence that we won today and let’s keep going like this.
“The coach always told us to believe because we are a really good team. We had some bad times, but now better times are coming so we have to stick together and keep going like that.”
Arsenal return to action on Saturday evening against West Ham before welcoming former Sporting coach Ruben Amorim to the Emirates on Wednesday in his new guise as manager of Manchester United.
Odegaard, Saliba and Saka, three of the top three in the world!!!
And only 25, 23 and 23.
The future’s bright. The future’s red and white.
Hope our future is not like when you get close to the horizon.
I wish, and I hope, 🙏 that there is some understanding during training to go extra easy on Odegard and Saka with physical contact situations.
To be honest, the moment I had to walk away from Arsenal for a while was when the transfer rumour dropped that linked Saliba to a move away from Arsenal. We had had a string of poor results, followed by Edu’s sudden departure, we had injuries piling up from international friendlies and then that shit sandwich landed. Chances are it was just newspaper tittle-tattle. But I was just like, “Yeah, I’m done with this for a bit”. I really, really, really hope Saliba is in this for the long haul. I’m not sure he’s replaceable. And I just love him.… Read more »
I don’t think he wants to leave, he grew up an Arsenal fan and his favourite player was Titi. The only reason he’d leave is if he feels, like many before him over the last two decades, that Arsenal isn’t likely to be the place where they win a bunch of trophies and cement themselves as legends of the game. For a player of his talent and consistency that’s the only thing missing for that so it’s kind of understandable. So hopefully we can show him this season or at the latest next one that this is where he achieves… Read more »
Odegaard is such an excellent player.
Used to think Ode and Saka are part of top 7 in the world but who I am if Saliba says top 3 for Ode.
Ødegaard is an absolute masterclass of playing in between the lines, finding space, movement on and off the ball, play creation and operating in tight spaces. Let’s also give a huge shout out to Partey for absolutely being the boss of midfield this season.
Big Gab too has been a top top player for us in defense and attack.
Absolutely top level.
Saliba strikes fear into attackers and big Gabi strikes it into defenders.
He is an absolutely amazing defender and an absolute equal to his partner at the back.
2 months ago was having a go at Andrew because he was giving shit to Thomas in his daily columns (our best and most consistent midfielder this season) while leaving Declan off the hook. Not that i expect an apology …. arrogant people dont do that. But yes i was right and be a man and accept that Declan was and still is agricultural at best! Nothing wromg with it and its not a criticism. Not everyone has the same skillset. He can not play with ball at feet or dribble through the lines or turn and beat players. He… Read more »
Partey has been consistent this season, with the Sporting match his best performance so far.
Rice is definitely off the boil at the moment, but trying to claim he’s ‘agricultural’… You’ll eat your words yet.
I hate to quote that yeti, but maybe take Haaland’s advice and ‘stay humble’.
Think the guy who wins a penalty should be credited with an assist if he doesn’t take it himself.
I think Transfermarkt does count those as assists, I agree it 100% should be. Not sure of the exact stats but it’s basically setting up the penalty taker with a chance with a higher likelihood of scoring than probably 80% of assists or therabouts. It’s actually much harder to win a penalty than to score one, so it’s absurd the player who scores gets more credit.
So we just have to ensure he doesn’t get injured for the next 10 years, cool.
Hehehe
we’ll make him sleep in cryochambers for the next 10 years as we spend all of our money in 6 left backs per transfer window and not a single backup for him. that’s why edu left, there was nothing else to discuss
Edu left for a different opportunity and more responsibility. It is a smaller English club but a bigger network. Unless you know Edu and talk to him about personally, your words are wind.
If you can verify that you do know him and he knows you well enough to confide in your the last line of your comment is speculation.
New guise indeed because those deep shits still playing as shity as they have been.
It takes one to know one!
Ok.. as good as we were let’s take a deep breath and consider our opposition on Tuesday, they haven’t lost at home for a while due to playing in Portugal league, apart from playing a PL side which is in a chaotic period in CL they are really not an elite side, only in their own league, they’re departed manager smiles so much because he’s won the lottery contract wise, don’t get me wrong it was a purring performance from our players, obviously Martin’s and Buyako return to partnership, but they were easy to play against, especially our hard press,… Read more »
Yes let’s not give the players and manager credit ever by downplaying the quality of the opposition after any convincing wins
Next great Arsenal skipper… future Arsenal legend.