Gary Neville has showered praise on Arsenal skipper, hailing him as “real class” following the Gunners’ 1-0 victory away to Everton on Sunday.
The former Manchester United defender turned popular football pundit says that Odegaard is one of those players whom Pep Guardiola will take to the side in a heartbeat.
Over the years, we have seen great players grace Manchester City, like David Silva and Kevin Bruyne. While Odegaard is not at their levels, as yet, Neville says that he is getting to that point where one can derive joy watching him play.
The Sky Sports pundit further makes a bold claim that Odegaard would “absolutely break into that Manchester City team”, despite the fact Guardiola has a wealth of quality at his disposal.
Neville said on
The Gary Neville Podcast: “It takes a lot to say this but when you think of the most beautiful football players that we’ve watched in the last seven or eight years in the Premier League I always think of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne being just something you watch and you’re like that’s ‘the way to play football’.
“Odegaard, I’m not saying he’s as good as David Silva or Kevin De Bruyne yet, I think he’s got a bit to go in his career, but he’s getting to a point whereby now when I watch him play, it is so smooth, it’s so silky.
“I knew he was always a talented player but we’re now talking about something that is very different than just talented, this is real class. I know that to be fair a lot of people know that but I think he now starts to be mentioned in the sort of realms.
“Pep Guardiola, I think if you said: ‘Take one player out of this Arsenal team’. I think he’d take him in an absolute heartbeat.
“He would absolutely break into that Manchester City team because he’s a beautiful player to watch, and every time I watch him he gets better and better.”
The former Real Madrid midfielder joined Arsenal on loan initially in 2021, and later the move was made permanent. He has become a key player for the club and has made over 100 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions.
Odegaard was made the captain of the side last season by Mikel Arteta and it reflects how highly he is rated. He has been a symbol of consistency and played a huge role last season as the north London giants mounted a challenge for the Premier League title.
It has been widely
reported that the Gunners are looking to offer him a new contract at the club, and it looks likely that a deal can be reached.
Over the years, players have moved from Arsenal to Manchester City and vice-versa, but it will take a massive effort to lure Odegaard away from the Emirates.
Meanwhile, Arsenal finally ended their Merseyside hoodoo after beating Everton, thanks to a second-half goal from Leandro Trossard.
