Paul Merson singles out ‘outstanding’ Arsenal star after Everton win

Paul Merson picked out Martin Odegaard for special praise following Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Everton, claiming the midfielder has been the champions’ standout player this season.

Ezri Konsa got Arsenal off to a dream start in Saturday’s Premier League contest, scrambling the ball home from a seventh-minute corner to open his account for the club on the back of his summer arrival from Aston Villa.

James Garnrer, Tyrique George and Thierno Barry all squandered chances to score for the Toffees and the visitors were duly punished for their lack of cutting edge in front of goal as Gabriel Magalhaes doubled the Gunners’ lead in the 68th minute.

Mikel Arteta’s men held firm to emerge victorious at the Emirates, ensuring they moved level on points with Manchester City at the top of the table after eight games.

Third-placed Brighton will look to keep the pressure on the leaders when they do battle with Liverpool at Anfield this afternoon.

‘I wouldn’t say it was easy, easy because that would be disrespectful to Everton but it was comfortable,’ ex-Arsenal and England midfielder Merson said of the win on Sky Sports.

‘Letting in the goal straightaway, they scored after seven minutes.

‘It was a good save by Jordan Pickford and Konsa just gambled, comes in and taps it in from a yard out.

‘You then think it’s going to be four, five or six and they didn’t, Everton played well after that, played some nice football.

‘Everton just haven’t got that real threat. Thierno Barry had a really good chance and it’s a different game if that goes in. Arsenal then scored another really good goal from Gabriel.’

Odegaard produced yet another excellent performance in the middle of the park, dictating play and leading by example just as he had done against Bayern Munich in midweek.

According to Merson, the Norwegian is central to everything Arsenal do having once again proved he is the club’s most important player when fit and firing.

‘I thought Odegaard was outstanding, if you had to pick someone,’ Merson added.

‘He just ticks it all over, he’s so comfortable, he’s got a great left foot, he’s just a nice, nice player.

‘When he’s in the mood and he has been in the mood this season, his confidence has been high, he’s been the one for me.

‘Even then Bruno Guimaraes comes on and plays some lovely little balls. They’re squad is massive.’

Arteta was without Saka on the right flank this weekend after the England forward was forced off with a hamstring injury in the side’s encounter with Bayern.

Saka lasted just ten minutes of Wednesday’s Champions League tie and there are fears he could be sidelined for as long as eight weeks.

While his replacement, Noni Madueke, had a mixed game, Merson is hopeful the former Chelsea winger will grow in confidence as he gets more minutes under his belt.

‘They did alright with Madueke,’ he said.

‘Ben White is good, he backs the play up very well and he got an assist today.

‘Madueke probably should have done better with one chance where he dragged it, but the longer he plays in the team, the more confidence he’ll get.

‘He needs to play week in, week out. It’s hard for wingers because you either get so much of the ball that you don’t want it anymore or you never get the ball.

‘He did alright, comfortable win for Arsenal, back to joint-top. Game on.’

Arsenal return to action on Tuesday night with a Carabao Cup fourth-round clash away to League Two outfit Fleetwood Town.

The north London giants switch their focus back to Premier League matters next Sunday with what promises to be a mouthwatering clash against Liverpool at Anfield.

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