Mikel Merino believes that one of his top Arsenal teammates is ‘the best player in the Premier League’.
Arsenal face a season-defining week as they take on Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Mikel Arteta will need all his top players performing at their best, especially the star man Merino has been raving about, to stand any chance against Los Blancos.
Ahead of the clash, the Spanish midfielder has been praising one of his team’s best players and has claimed he is actually the best in the top flight.
Mikel Merino thinks Martin Odegaard is ‘the best player in the Premier League’
Mikel Merino has named his Arsenal teammate Martin Odegaard as ‘the best player in the Premier League’.
The Spaniard has been speaking to one of his nation’s biggest newspapers, Marca, ahead of the Gunners’ Champions League clash against Real Madrid.
The 28-year-old was asked about Odegaard, having also played alongside him during their time together at Real Sociedad.
The Euro 2024 winner was asked to compare Odegaard to the legendary David Silva, another former teammate of his from Sociedad.
Merino told Marca: “They’re similar positions, like playmakers… They’re players you pair up with, but perhaps with different technical profiles.
“When I was at Real Sociedad, I posted on Instagram saying goodbye to Martin, and a few days later, Silva joined Real Sociedad.
“Martin is arguably the best player in the Premier League, but comparing him to David is difficult… although even comparing them is praise for Odegaard. I was fortunate to be able to play with both of them.”
How do Martin Odegaard’s stats compare to Jude Bellingham’s this season?
Arsenal will desperately need Odegaard to be at his best against Madrid on Tuesday with Jude Bellingham arriving in brilliant form.
| Apps | Goals | Assists | |
| Bellingham | 41 | 13 | 13 |
| Odegaard | 34 | 5 | 8 |
The England international has 26 goal contributions to his name this season, meanwhile, the Gunners’ captain has just 13 in total.
Carlo Ancelotti has previously spoken unfavourably about Odegaard and the 26-year-old now has the perfect opportunity to prove him wrong almost nine years later.
