A controversial figure at Arsenal, William Gallas, has given his views on how the midfield is currently operating at Arsenal – and he’s a big fan.

The trio of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Jorginho are looking indomitable at the moment – something that Gallas took note of, as he had some very nice things to say about each of them.

He credited Jorginho with freeing up Rice to occupy a more advanced role, while praising Odegaard for his creativity and ability to pick out a defence-splitting pass. He thinks the three, when they play together, are a ‘great combination’.

What did William Gallas say about the midfield at Arsenal?

Speaking with Genting Casino, Gallas said: “You can see that Jorginho gives Arsenal’s attacking players the freedom to play, and that is having a positive impact on Declan Rice. Declan Rice is showing his quality further up the field and he can do that because he knows that Jorginho is behind him. If Jorginho wasn’t there, Rice wouldn’t be in the box to score the first goal against Brentford.

“We knew that Rice had that ability [to score goals], everyone can see Declan’s quality. At West Ham he had to sit in front of the centre backs to offer them protection, but we’ve seen that Declan has the ability and appetite to play further up the field.

“Jorginho has the experience to help this team. This is a player that has won everything and he is having a positive effect on Arsenal. Only good things can happen when you have three players like Jorginho, Rice and Odegaard in the middle. They are unbelievable players and the balance in Arsenal’s midfield is perfect at the moment.

“Jorginho can sit, Declan Rice has the engine to play box-to-box and Odegaard can play further forward to find the right passes for Arsenal’s attacking players. It is a great combination.”