Martin Odegaard turned a slide tackle into a five-star skill move with utter ease in Arsenal’s 4-0 hammering of Everton.
The Premier League leaders ran out comfortable winners at the Emirates Stadium, with Gabriel Martinelli notching a brace and Bukayo Saka and Odegaard all on target.
The Gunners moved five points clear of Manchester City after cruising in their game in hand.
Odegaard scored the third goal in the 71st minute but the Arsenal captain’s best bit of play was his silky skill earlier on.
Former Arsenal midfielder Alex Iwobi was hunting him down and it looked as though the two would be involved in a feisty 50-50 battle as both went to ground.
But Odegaard, an incredibly intelligent player, produced one of the smoothest interceptions you will ever see.
He made Iwobi look silly by improvising quickly and flicking the ball past the sliding Nigerian with his right foot.
It widely circulated on social media, with Arsenal supporters in awe of what the former Real Madrid man produced.
Having looked like he might just be about to become a forgotten wonderkid, Odegaard joined Arsenal on loan in 2021 and made a huge impression to the point where they club signed him permanently.
Under Mikel Arteta he’s been a revelation, particularly this term, where he’s gone up another gear – scoring nine and assisting six in the league.
“Yeah, I would say so,” Odegaard is quoted as saying when asked if Arteta has upped his levels.
“I would say, not changed, but he’s taken my game to different level. And helped me improve areas and things I didn’t even know about.
“Really happy to work with him and to be part of this project.”
He is vying to become the first Arsenal captain to lift the Premier League trophy since Patrick Vieira in 2004, with the North London side still going strong at the top of the table.
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