BBC pundit Glenn Murray believes that Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard is just like Kevin De Bruyne.
Pundit Murray was covering Arsenal’s Premier League match against Nottingham Forest on BBC 5 Live.
Odegaard has been nearly ever-present for Arsenal this season, after being handed the captain’s armband.
The Norwegian international has been playing exceptionally for Arsenal this season, and is one of the reasons they’re currently competing at the top of the table.
The attacking playmaker has been pivotal to Arsenal’s attacking build up, and has been contributing goals too.
He’ll be hoping to top his 11 goal contributions in his first full season at The Emirates, and is already nearly halfway there.
Odegaard will have plenty of time to recover and improve under Mikel Arteta as he won’t be travelling to the World Cup.
It’s a big compliment from pundit Murray to suggest Odegaard is like De Bruyne, and there are some similarities.
They’re both capable of unlocking a defence with a pinpoint pass, and work very hard off the ball.
However, De Bruyne is capable of some magnificent strikes from outside the box, that Odegaard isn’t yet capable of.
Odegaard is like De Bruyne – BBC pundit, Murray
Speaking on BBC 5 Live (30/10 2:37pm), pundit Murray was very complimentary about Odegaard.
“He’s not at this level yet, but I think in the future he could be,” Murray said.
“He was thrust onto the world stage when he was signed for Real Madrid back in the day, he’s played with some top people, and obviously learned off a lot of them.
“Now, we’re really starting to see the best of him.”
“One person he does remind me of is Kevin De Bruyne.”
Odegaard was given the Kniksens Hederspris award last week and was very surprised to be chosen to receive Norway’s most prestigious sporting honour.
It’s a fine reward for someone who’s been playing very good football this season, and at the back end of the last campaign.
The Norwegian believes he’s also become a better defensive player, something that’s becoming more and more important for attackers in the modern game.
Although Odegaard may be like De Bruyne, he still has some way to go before he reaches the same level as the Belgian.
Arteta will certainly hope the 23-year-old can become a similar talisman at Arsenal as De Bruyne has at Man City.
