Micah Richards has explained why he has 'sympathy' for Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.
The 24-year-old midfielder, who joined title-chasing Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2021 for a reported £30 million plus add-ons, has been one of the Premier League's standout performers this season.
In fact, after his goal against Newcastle on Sunday, it emerged that Odegaard has scored more open-play goals [13] than the Premier League's all-time top scoring midfielder, Frank Lampard, ever managed in a season.
After playing such an influential role for the Gunners in their title charge, you would normally expect the Norwegian to pick up a number of individual accolades this term, including the PFA Player of the Year award.
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But as Micah Richards points out, the inevitable Erling Haaland will likely scoop the POTY award after a record-breaking debut season for Manchester City.
Richards, who is regarded as one of the best pundits around, admitted in his column for the Daily Mail that he feels sorry for Odegaard.
"It's a strange thing to have sympathy for someone after you have watched them light up your Sunday but that was my first feeling for Martin Odegaard," he wrote. "If it hadn't been for Erling Haaland, Arsenal's captain would be odds-on for Player of the Year.
"He reminds me of David Silva in so many ways, with his quiet authority and leadership. You wouldn't know David was in a room sometimes, but on the pitch he made you follow him through his brilliance and that is what Odegaard is doing — 15 goals from midfield (and not one penalty) is just exceptional.
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"There was a time when, to be a captain, you needed to have the loudest voice and the biggest personality but that has all changed. Steven Gerrard at England didn't scream and shout but you watched him at close range and couldn't help but be inspired.
"Arsenal's business in getting Odegaard on loan, restoring his confidence and then buying him outright was a masterstroke. He's going to get even better."
Odegaard, who was announced as Arsenal captain last summer, has been praised by many in recent weeks, including manager Mikel Arteta.
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After being asked what Odegaard brings to the team, Arteta said after the Newcastle game: “The leadership he is showing and the levels of consistency which is what you demand from those leaders.
“It’s not moments, it’s every single day. Home and away, he’s had some huge performances, he’s really helping the team, he’s growing in the right direction. We are all very happy to have him.”
Odegaard's teammate Bukayo Saka added: "He’s a fantastic leader, he has been all season. He’s been leading by example, on and off the pitch. Hopefully he can continue this form.
“We needed that goal because we were under pressure early on. The first few chances definitely went their way and they had a penalty shout too. After that we scored a fantastic goal, from then we controlled the game.”
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Topics: Martin Odegaard, Micah Richards, Arsenal, Manchester City, Premier League