In a display reminiscent of his footballing prowess, Martin Odegaard showcased his brilliance on the field against Burnley in the Premier League, earning lavish praise from Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.
Arsenal, riding the crest of a successful wave, clinched their fifth consecutive league victory in emphatic fashion, securing a resounding 5-0 triumph at Turf Moor.
Odegaard wasted no time in leaving his mark, breaking the deadlock just four minutes into the game and later orchestrating Bukayo Saka’s second goal with a precise assist.
Throughout the match, the Norwegian maestro exhibited his mastery of the ball, registering an impressive 88 touches and completing 61 passes.
His creative flair was evident as he crafted three scoring opportunities while dominating in both aerial duels and take-ons, boasting an impeccable 100% success rate.
Following Arsenal’s dominant win, Drogba expressed his delight for Odegaard, highlighting the midfielder’s exceptional form and influential role as the club captain.
In an interview with Arsenal.com, Drogba commented, “I believe he’s currently in a really good moment in terms of confidence, and physically as well with the way he applies himself; both defensively and offensively, his connection, the movement that he brought us on the right-hand side, it’s really commendable. He’s certainly hitting form.”
Odegaard’s celebratory gesture, covering his ears after finding the back of the net, amidst recent scrutiny over Arsenal’s exuberant reactions, caught attention.
However, when questioned about the gesture, Arsenal manager Arteta remained oblivious, stating, “I didn’t notice that he made that gesture.”
Arteta continued to extol Odegaard’s performance, emphasizing the midfielder’s exceptional contribution and urging him to remain true to himself.
Arsenal’s remarkable run of five consecutive league victories since the start of the year marks a significant milestone for the club. Their attacking prowess has been nothing short of spectacular, netting an impressive 21 goals across these victories.
The transformative impact of their training camp in Dubai is evident, particularly considering their meager four-goal tally in the five games prior to the trip.
Looking ahead, Arteta is focused on sustaining this momentum as Arsenal prepare to take on Porto in the Champions League.
Their journey leads them to the Estadio do Dragao for the eagerly anticipated first leg clash of the round of 16 on Wednesday.
Porto has proven to be a formidable adversary for Arsenal in recent away encounters, with the Gunners enduring a winless streak of three matches, including one draw and two defeats.
Nevertheless, Arsenal remains optimistic about breaking this pattern and securing a valuable advantage heading into the second leg.
