BBC pundit Chris Sutton has lavished praise on Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard ahead of the Gunners’ game against Nottingham Forest this weekend.

Writing in his Premier League Predictions column, Sutton said that the Norwegian’s vision and footballing intelligence make him the standout player in Mikel Arteta’s team:

“I feel like he will be the difference. Gunners fans will be hoping that he can lift the team, and help them look more dangerous in open play. Sometimes it is only when a player is missing that you realise how important they are to a side, and that has definitely been the case with Odegaard because Arsenal have not been the same without him in the final third.”

“Odegaard is their one player who is on a different level when he is on the ball and almost plays a different game. He has that incredible awareness and understanding that allows him to knit everything together, and Arsenal will need that against Forest.”

Arsenal are not the same without Odegaard

If you analyse the Gunners’ results with and without their captain, you can see why the team has been struggling. Of the 27 Premier League matches that the club have played without the Norwegian international since his arrival in January 2021, they have only won 14. That is a win ratio of 51.85%

In contrast, when Odegaard is on the pitch, Arteta’s side have won 77 of 117 games, which is a win rate of  65.81%. It is a substantial difference and fans will be delighted that their talisman is back available.

Forest will be a tough nut to crack

As Sutton points out, Odegaard’s talents will be needed against Arsenal’s next opponents. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team have already been to Anfield and won this season. They are very strong defensively, whilst also being dangerous on the counterattack.

The Gunners will have to be patient and it may require a bit of brilliance from someone like Odegaard to unlock the door on Saturday afternoon.

Find out who is in Arsenal’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here