Former Arsenal star Paul Merson believes captain Martin Odegaard hitting top form again is equivalent to manager Mikel Arteta securing a new £100 million player.
Merson, a vocal pundit, is clearly impressed with Odegaard's recent performances and feels his resurgence could be pivotal for Arsenal's ambitions this season.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson suggested that while Arsenal might still feel the absence of a key attacking signing they missed out on this summer, Odegaard's current form and fitness offer a similar dynamic.
“Odegaard is back to what he was two years ago, like a £100m signing,” Merson stated. “If he can keep on playing the way he’s playing, that’s like a £100m new signing.”
Odegaard experienced a dip last season, netting just one goal across all competitions. However, he's already bagged three goals in four games this term, a significant improvement suggesting a return to his goal-scoring prowess seen in previous seasons.
Merson also highlighted that Odegaard isn't the only key player returning to form. He noted that Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka, who also struggled with consistency last season, are showing signs of recapturing their best. The pundit believes that with this trio — Odegaard, Havertz, and Saka — performing at their peak, Arsenal has the potential to elevate their game even further, recalling the potent attacking force they displayed during their title challenge in the 2023/24 season.
