Jamie Carragher has said that Martin Odegaard could be a vital for Arsenal in their pursuit of the Premier League title. 

The Gunners come off a brilliant 2-1 win against Newcastle United over the weekend, when they scored two late goals to come away from St James’ Park with all three points. Mikel Arteta’s side are now just two points off Liverpool, who lost to Crystal Palace.

Arsenal’s result against Newcastle left many to view them as title favourites over Arne Slot’s side, who haven’t been at their best recently. The obvious stars such as Gabriel, Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice will of course have an impact for Arteta, but Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal’s key to winning the league is elsewhere.

He said that Martin Odegaard could be the difference, after the Gunners captain came on against Newcastle and looked superb. Carragher said on Sky Sports: “I want to go back to Martin Odegaard, who I think changed the game when he came on, he’s already scanning ‘where I can hurt Newcastle’, it’s absolutely world class play, he was the difference when he came on. 

“This was a massive win for Arsenal, it felt huge. If they are to go on to win the league, what we saw Odegaard do, we’re going to need to see more of that. It will give them a great chance to win the league title.”

Odegaard’s form last year wasn’t great, but if the Arsenal midfielder can get back to his best, then Carragher believes that the Gunners have a brilliant chance to win the league.

Are Arsenal the favourites to win the league?

There is much debate as to whether Arsenal or Liverpool are the favourites to win this year. According to the most recent Supercomputer simulation, Liverpool still edge it, but former Man United star Gary Neville says Arsenal are the best team in the league.

As far as the bookmakers’ odds are concerned, Arsenal are the narrow title favourites. According to Oddschecker, the Gunners are 5/4 to win the league, which gives them a 44.4% chance of lifting the trophy. Liverpool are backed at odds of 7/4, giving them a 36.4% chance to win the league title for the second year in a row.

The Gunners will hope that Odegaard can get back to his best, and that Carragher is right about his assessment of the Arsenal captain.