MARTIN ODEGAARD DELIVERS CAPTAIN’S PERFORMANCE VS BOURNEMOUTH

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard delivered a fantastic performance during the 4-0 Premier League win over Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.

The Gunners travelled to the Vitality Stadium for the afternoon kick-off and they produced a tremendous showing over 90 minutes with four goals.

Bukayo Saka opened the scoring with a header in the 17th minute, but the goal was created by Odegaard’s clever pass to Gabriel Jesus in the lead-up.

The Norwegian also converted a penalty won by Eddie Nketiah before the break. Shortly after the interval, he won a penalty of his own which Kai Havertz converted.

In stoppage time, Odegaard provided the assist for Ben White’s goal to complete the 4-0 rout.

The 24-year-old had a tough outing in the north London derby last weekend, but made amends against the Cherries. He was involved in all four goals for the club.

Aside from his goal contributions, Odegaard had 71 touches, completing 47 out of 53 passes. He won 5 duels, two tackles and created three key chances.

The Gunners returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a resounding display today.

The Cherries were full of energy in the early minutes at the Vitality Stadium, but Arsenal managed to withstand the early pressure before stamping their authority.

Odegaard was the Gunners’ most creative player, but the club were also superb defensively. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes made vital goal saving tackles.

With the victory, Arsenal have reduced the deficit to leaders Manchester City to just one point. Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a shock defeat at Wolves today.

The Gunners entertain the Cityzens at the Emirates Stadium next weekend but before that, the club will be in Champions League action at Lens on Tuesday night.

Read Next:

Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal squad ‘won his heart’ with Kai Havertz decision

The Gunners were cruising at half-time thanks to Bukayo Saka’s opener and Martin Odegaard’s 44th-minute penalty.

Odegaard himself was felled by Ryan Christie to gift the visitors a second spot-kick. Instead of the Norwegian or Saka, Havertz took the penalty and sent Cherries goalie Neto the wrong way to put Arsenal 3-0 up.

Ben White later rounded off the scoring in second-half injury time, though it was the spirit of his squad that drew Arteta’s praise rather than the quality of performance.

Speaking about Havertz after the game, the Spaniard said: “[He’s] someone that is going through a period externally – not internally but externally – that he’s getting questioned in certain areas. For the team to step up and show that empathy and that trust towards him, they won my heart today, that group of players.

“As a manager I’m more proud of this than the victory because this is what you try to build – the culture and environment that they support each other, have their backs and enjoy what we are doing.”

Havertz was a £65m arrival from Chelsea during the summer transfer window but has struggled to perform during the early weeks of the season, going nine games with a goal for his new side before striking at the Vitality Stadium.

Arteta added: “It’s worth it, it’s real and it’s not forced. They made the decision and showed the leadership without me even telling them so that’s much more powerful.

“And thank you to our supporters, because the way they have supported our team and Kai – it is going to mean the world to him. Thank you so much.”

Arsenal’s title hopes were boosted by Manchester City’s surprise 2-1 loss at Wolves and they now sit just a point behind the reigning champions, level with Tottenham after Spurs controversially beat Liverpool.