Gary Neville believes Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is the 'best in his position', following his starring role in the 5-0 thrashing of Chelsea.

Odegaard assisted two of Arsenal's goals in that game, meaning he has now made 20 goal contributions across all competitions this season. Only Bukayo Saka has made more and Neville has branded Odegaard's recent performances "mesmerising".

Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League, three points clear of Liverpool and four clear of Manchester City. However, Pep Guardiola's side do have two games in hand and will leapfrog the Gunners if they win them both.

As a result, Arsenal cannot afford to drop points in any of their remaining four games and Odegaard will be key to their chances. Speaking about Arsenal's win over Chelsea on his podcast, Neville said: "Very good, excellent in fact.

"They were outstanding in that first 25 minutes against Aston Villa when we were there a couple of weeks ago, some of the football. And Odegaard is mesmerising at the moment, I think he's become the best in that position in terms of the way in which he plays.

"And I was really impressed with Chelsea against Manchester City on Saturday in that FA Cup semi-final, I thought they were really good, lots to hang your hat on there and build on.

"And then Mauricio Pochettino came out with, he couldn't have said it any better, 'when we're bad, we're really bad', but Arsenal were really good and they won well and they played in a dominant fashion against a really poor and under-strengthened Chelsea team, but they did their job."

Neville believes Martin Odegaard is the 'best in his position' (
Image:
Getty Images)

Arsenal are set to take on local rivals Tottenham in the north London derby this weekend and Neville has urged Mikel Arteta's side to learn from Liverpool's Merseyside derby defeat to Everton on Wednesday.

"Arsenal cannot be shocked on Sunday, it's potentially going to be a bloodbath in the first 15, 20 minutes, Tottenham fans don't want Arsenal to win the league," he said. "It's a big game on Sunday and (Liverpool's defeat to Everton) is a big lesson for Arsenal tonight.

"If Arsenal were watching, which I suspect they were, they should look at that game, it's not quite the same – Tottenham are a different football team to Everton – but the elements of making sure they're ready, they don't get caught out, making sure that away from home you respect the opposition and the crowd and what you could be up against if they get on top of you, the principles of playing away, Arsenal can't forget that just because they're a better football team and they're in a better moment."

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