Merson: Odegaard Captaincy A Masterstroke By Arsenal Boss Arteta

Arsenal title winner Paul Merson is impressed by new skipper Martin Odegaard.

Merson reckons Odegaard's appointment as captain could prove to be a stroke of genius by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.

He told Sky Sports: "It's been a very good start to Martin Odegaard's captaincy at Arsenal.

"They paid £35m to Real Madrid for him. That's hardly anything.

"The Premier League takes time to get used to and it would have been a kick in the teeth for him to get released by Real Madrid. It's a huge club and I'm sure he'd have wanted to go back there after his loan spell at Arsenal, but Arteta got him back and now he's showing what a player he is.

"He's making things happen and when you do that, turning good play into goals and assists, that's what starts to make people take notice.

"That's what he's doing and giving him the captaincy could be a masterstroke.

"However, you've now got to see what happens when it isn't going as well for the team, and he isn't playing as well himself. Can he keep dragging the team through?

"At the moment, though, he's doing really well. For £35m, absolutely amazing."