'It's flowing': Mikel Arteta blown away by £30m Arsenal star with 6 recoveries vs Aston Villa

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Martin Odegaard following the club’s 4-1 Premier League win over Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium last night.

The Gunners went into the game without a home victory over the Villans since 2022. They ended the unwanted streak with a resounding performance in the second half.

The first half was evenly played between the clubs, but the picture changed after the break as the Gunners asserted their dominance and secured a comfortable win.

Speaking after the game, Arteta was hugely impressed by Odegaard, who was one of the best players on the pitch. He produced another top-notch attacking display.

Arteta said: “He needed some consistency and some games. Obviously he had two times the shoulder injury, then he had a big knee injury, and that takes a little bit of time.

“Now you can see that it’s flowing, that his energy level is back to where it is. He’s taking risks, he’s affecting the game in a great way and I think he was really, really good today again.”

The Norwegian was brilliant in the 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend, scoring the opening goal from the edge of the box. He was undoubtedly the man of the match.

He stepped up once more against the Villans last night. The Gunners captain produced a terrific pass for Martin Zubimendi to double the club’s advantage early in the second half.

Aside from his goal contribution, Odegaard had 65 touches in the game with 41 successful passes. He made six recoveries, won five duels and managed a couple of interceptions.

The £30 million signing has finally started to find form after a difficult time with injuries this term. He had two shoulder concerns before sustaining a medial collateral ligament knee injury.

Odegaard has been fantastic to watch over the past two games in particular, and the onus is on replicate such displays as the Gunners look to increase their advantage at the top of the league.

After yesterday’s 4-1 win, Arsenal are five and six points ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa. The Cityzens still have a game in hand against Sunderland on the road on New Year’s Day.

Stats from Sofascore.com

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