Paul Merson Identifies Arsenal’s Key Player as Similar to Manchester City’s Rodr

Paul Merson’s Bold Claim: Martin Odegaard is Arsenal’s “Difference Maker” Equivalent to Rodri at Manchester City (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

Paul Merson has asserted that Martin Odegaard, holds the same level of importance at Arsenal as Rodri does at Manchester City.

Arsenal legend Paul Merson made a bold assertion, claiming that Martin Odegaard holds the same level of importance at Arsenal as Rodri does at Manchester City.

Odegaard, the Norwegian midfielder, has been a pivotal figure for Arsenal since his permanent move from Real Madrid in the summer of 2022. His absence due to injury earlier this season was keenly felt, with Arsenal struggling to find their rhythm without him. Merson pointed out that Odegaard’s return has been nothing short of transformative, providing assists and elevating the performance of his teammates, particularly Bukayo Saka.

When asked on Sky Sports if Arsenal were back to their best after a wobble, Merson said: ‘Yeah, the last two games.

‘They were outstanding against Nottingham Forest when they needed to be. They just dropped it down into second gear, but they were outstanding.

‘A brilliant performance against Sporting Lisbon. Martin Odegaard makes the difference.

‘We talk about Man City and Rodri. It’s the same with Odegaard. Odegaard makes things happen.

Merson emphasized Odegaard’s ability to “knit things together” for Arsenal, bringing out the best in his teammates and making a significant impact on the team’s overall performance. His recent performances, including a brilliant display against Nottingham Forest and Sporting Lisbon, have underscored his importance to the team.

Rodri, on the other hand, has been a cornerstone of Manchester City’s midfield, recently winning the prestigious 2024 Ballon d’Or for his heroics with both City and Spain. His absence due to a serious knee injury in September left a noticeable void in City’s lineup, with many pundits agreeing that the team has not been the same without him.

Merson drew a parallel between the two players, noting that just as City struggles without Rodri, Arsenal faces similar challenges when Odegaard is unavailable. He believes that Odegaard’s influence on the pitch is comparable to Rodri’s, making him an indispensable “difference maker” for Arsenal.