Gary Neville lauded one Arsenal player during today’s clash against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal were left frustrated after a positive first-half display didn’t lead to an opener against a spirited Villa side.
Unai Emery’s men defended well for large periods of the first 45 minutes but it was another former Arsenal man, Emiliano Martinez, who denied Arsenal a goal.
The Argentine pulled off an exceptional save to deny Leandro Trossard after Bukayo Saka also went close.
As we’ve seen so often over the past couple of seasons, Martin Odegaard completely ran the show in the first half.
The Norwegian was involved in the majority of Arsenal’s best moments and produced an outstanding piece of skill which amazed Gary Neville.
Neville lauds ‘special’ Martin Odegaard
Odegaard was popping up in dangerous areas during the opening period and he drifted out to the left-hand side at one stage.
The £30 million man received the ball from Oleksandr Zinchenko on the edge of Villa’s box.
He then left Villa’s defenders dumbfounded as he produced an excellent flick to set Kai Havertz away down the left.
“What Odegaard has just done there is really special,” Neville said. “Fantastic. And Saka did well actually win it at the back post.
“He’s always been a good player Odegaard but his levels this season have been really, really high.”
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
Odegaard saw plenty of the ball in the opening period but it’s fair to say that he didn’t have the same influence in the second half.
That was largely down to Villa putting in a much-improved display after the break.
Emery’s side rattled the woodwork during the opening period through Ollie Watkins and Youri Tielemans saw his effort come off the post and crossbar just after the hour mark.
To Villa’s credit, they were by far the better side in the second half and deservedly netted two goals late in the game.
Goals from Watkins and Leon Bailey handed the Villains a 2-0 win, with Arsenal failing to capitalise on Liverpool’s defeat to Crystal Palace.
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