William Saliba says everyone at Arsenal is ‘so happy’ to have Martin Odegaard back fit and firing, hailing his captain as one of the ‘top three’ midfielders on the planet.
Odegaard picked up an ankle injury while on international duty with Norway in early September and the 25-year-old was sidelined for 12 Arsenal games as a result.
The Norwegian’s absence from the side coincided with a desperately disappointing run of results for the Gunners, with Mikel Arteta’s men now nine points adrift of top-of-the-table Liverpool in the Premier League.
But Odegaard looked to be back to his best at the weekend, setting up Bukayo Saka for his second assist in as many games as the north London giants ran out 3-0 winners at home to Nuno Espirito Santo’s dangerous Nottingham Forest.
Odegaard also shone in Arsenal’s resounding 5-1 victory over Sporting in the Champions League and drew the foul from Ousmane Diomande which led to Saka’s second-half penalty in Lisbon.
As the visitors cruised to three comfortable points, Arteta was even able to bring Odegaard off with 12 minutes remaining, keeping his skipper fresh for the side’s trip to West Ham on Saturday.
‘I think we had two or three weeks before the international break when it was really tough, but now, we get back and we play two really good games,’ Saliba told Arsenal’s official website following the win.
‘But it’s not enough, we have to keep going like this and we have a big game on Saturday.
‘But it’s good, it’s good for the confidence that we won today and let’s keep going like this.
‘The coach always told us to believe because we are a really good team. We had some bad times, but now better times are coming so we have to stick together and keep going like that.’
According to Saliba, Odegaard continues to prove he is among the most complete midfielders in the game.
‘I think he’s one of the best midfielders in the world and we are so happy to have him back. We are better with him so I hope he won’t get injured again. Of course, we have to enjoy playing with him. We can see since he’s back we are better,’ the Arsenal and France defender added.
‘He’s top three [in the world]. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him but I think top three. I love this guy.
‘He worked hard at the training ground so I’m not surprised that he came back like this but of course, it’s not easy when you haven’t played for four weeks to come back at this level. I’m not in shock, he’s a top professional.’
On making his 100th appearance for Arsenal, Saliba responded: ‘I’m very proud.
‘I hope I will have more games with this amazing club.
‘I have to keep going but of course 100 games here is amazing.’