Merson Hails Odegaard's Sublime Assist in 4-2 Win at Brighton and Compares Him to De Bruyne
- last year
Paul Merson hailed Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard after their 4-2 win over Brighton on New Year's Eve - likening his vision on the football pitch to snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Odegaard was named man of the match for the second consecutive game as his influence ensured Arsenal passed a tough test on the south coast to move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The Norwegian scored one and made another, with Gabriel Martinelli latching onto his ball over his wonderful ball over the top to score the Gunners' fourth.
Speaking as a pundit on Sky Sports, Arsenal icon Paul Merson said: 'When you talk about people seeing pictures, Martin Odegaard knows what he is doing before this ball comes he knows what he's doing and Martinelli knows what he is doing and he's away. He is running with pace full pelt with the ball.
'Kevin de Bruyne sees it, Odegard sees it but I don't think any other player in the Premier League sees it open up.'
After watching Arsenal extend their lead at the top, Merson also talked up his former club's title chances, adding: 'They're good to watch. It's not a fluke, it's not like we're sitting here scratching our heads.
'You've got to look at Man City who we're talking about as the only team who can chase them down - they lost at home to Brentford and they've drawn at home to Everton who is on a bad run. It's not like they're ripping it up as well.
'They were games they were expected to win. That's where when you talk about expected goals, I look at expected games you should have won and they're two games they should have won. That's where five points are dropped.
'At the moment, I don't see anybody stopping Arsenal.'
Merson's former Arsenal team-mates Alan Smith also praised the Gunners' performance on Sky - but said that 'everyone' still believes Manchester City will still win the league.
'None of us thought this was going to be possible at the start and it is such an unusual situation, they're seven points clear but everyone still thinks Man City is going to win it. But if they can beat City then you might start to believe,' Smith said.
'The wheels came off at the end of last season, the Spurs game and the Newcastle game away when they just didn't turn up they ran out of gas their squad was stretched to the limit.
'They're in a better position this season in terms of strength in depth and I think they're more mature. They've learned from last season, they're a year older and a year wiser.'
.Arsenal's victory ensured they joined Liverpool, Fulham, and Manchester United in becoming the only sides to have grabbed two wins post-World Cup.
The Gunners host Newcastle on Tuesday, as they bid to go 10 points clear - with Manchester City playing 24 hours later.
'They are right in it,' Merson said of their title chances. 'This is not a fluke, they are where they are because they are a very good football team.'
Odegaard was named man of the match for the second consecutive game as his influence ensured Arsenal passed a tough test on the south coast to move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The Norwegian scored one and made another, with Gabriel Martinelli latching onto his ball over his wonderful ball over the top to score the Gunners' fourth.
Speaking as a pundit on Sky Sports, Arsenal icon Paul Merson said: 'When you talk about people seeing pictures, Martin Odegaard knows what he is doing before this ball comes he knows what he's doing and Martinelli knows what he is doing and he's away. He is running with pace full pelt with the ball.
'Kevin de Bruyne sees it, Odegard sees it but I don't think any other player in the Premier League sees it open up.'
After watching Arsenal extend their lead at the top, Merson also talked up his former club's title chances, adding: 'They're good to watch. It's not a fluke, it's not like we're sitting here scratching our heads.
'You've got to look at Man City who we're talking about as the only team who can chase them down - they lost at home to Brentford and they've drawn at home to Everton who is on a bad run. It's not like they're ripping it up as well.
'They were games they were expected to win. That's where when you talk about expected goals, I look at expected games you should have won and they're two games they should have won. That's where five points are dropped.
'At the moment, I don't see anybody stopping Arsenal.'
Merson's former Arsenal team-mates Alan Smith also praised the Gunners' performance on Sky - but said that 'everyone' still believes Manchester City will still win the league.
'None of us thought this was going to be possible at the start and it is such an unusual situation, they're seven points clear but everyone still thinks Man City is going to win it. But if they can beat City then you might start to believe,' Smith said.
'The wheels came off at the end of last season, the Spurs game and the Newcastle game away when they just didn't turn up they ran out of gas their squad was stretched to the limit.
'They're in a better position this season in terms of strength in depth and I think they're more mature. They've learned from last season, they're a year older and a year wiser.'
.Arsenal's victory ensured they joined Liverpool, Fulham, and Manchester United in becoming the only sides to have grabbed two wins post-World Cup.
The Gunners host Newcastle on Tuesday, as they bid to go 10 points clear - with Manchester City playing 24 hours later.
'They are right in it,' Merson said of their title chances. 'This is not a fluke, they are where they are because they are a very good football team.'