Gallas names Arsenal star as one of the two best players in the Premier League right now

Joe Williams
Former Arsenal defender William Gallas looks out onto the pitch

William Gallas thinks Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard is one of the two best players in the Premier League on current form.

The Gunners extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points with their 0-0 draw against Newcastle United earlier in the week.

Their nearest challengers and defending champions Manchester City will look to close that gap tonight as they take on Chelsea in their game in hand.

Odegaard has been in brilliant form this season with seven goals and five assists in 16 Premier League appearances under Mikel Arteta.

And former Arsenal and Chelsea defender Gallas reckons Odegaard is only second to Manchester City striker Erling Haaland as the best player in the Premier League.

“Martin Odegaard has shown all his skills and qualities,” Gallas told Genting Casino.

“He is a playmaker. I don’t know if he’s the best player in the Premier League. I think the best player at the moment is Halaand.

“What Odegaard is doing with Arsenal is just magnificent. He can see everything quickly before any of the other players. That’s why sometimes he can play with one touch and delivers a good ball into space.

“It also is very good to see players like him. He’s just below Haaland as the best Premier League player right now.”

Arsenal failed to score for the first time in the league this season as Newcastle grabbed a point at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

The Gunners still played well but were unable to break down the Magpies, who have the best defence in the Premier League and had chances of their own, and Gallas doesn’t think there are “any cracks” appearing at Arsenal.

“I don’t see any cracks in Arsenal’s game,” Gallas added.

“I think they can still win the title. That means they know they’re going to play against the big teams in a few games. They know what they have to do. To beat teams like Tottenham and Manchester City, they have to do more.

“Because when you play the game against a big club, you know you have to do more than usual. But at the same time, they didn’t lose against Newcastle, so for me, I know they’re still on track.

“So that means that they will fight until the end, once they have to play against the big teams. They have to go and get good results every time. That’s why that will be the big challenge for them.”

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