William Saliba expresses that everyone at Arsenal is โso happyโ to see Martin Odegaard back in action, describing the captain as one of the โtop threeโ midfielders in the world.
Odegaard sustained an ankle injury during international duty with Norway in early September, which sidelined the 25-year-old for 12 Arsenal matches.
The Norwegianโs absence coincided with a poor run of results for Arsenal, leaving Mikel Artetaโs side nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.
However, Odegaard returned to form over the weekend, assisting Bukayo Saka for his second consecutive assist as Arsenal secured a 3-0 victory at home against Nuno Espirito Santoโs challenging Nottingham Forest.
Odegaard also impressed in Arsenalโs dominant 5-1 Champions League win over Sporting, drawing the foul from Ousmane Diomande that led to Sakaโs second-half penalty in Lisbon.
As Arsenal claimed a comfortable three points, Arteta substituted Odegaard with 12 minutes remaining to keep him fresh for Saturdayโs trip to West Ham.
โI think we had two or three tough weeks before the international break, but now weโve come back and played two really good games,โ Saliba told Arsenalโs official website after the win.
โBut itโs not enough. We have to keep going like this, and we have a big game on Saturday.
โItโs good for confidence that we won today, but letโs keep going like this.
โThe coach always tells us to believe because weโre a very good team. Weโve had tough times, but better times are coming, so we must stick together and keep pushing forward.โ
Saliba praised Odegaard as one of the most complete midfielders in the world.
โI think heโs one of the best midfielders in the world, and weโre so happy to have him back. Weโre better with him, so I hope he doesnโt get injured again. Of course, we enjoy playing with him. Since heโs returned, weโve been better,โ the Arsenal and France defender said.
โHeโs top three [in the world]. I donโt want to put too much pressure on him, but I believe heโs top three. I love this guy.
โHe worked hard during his recovery, so Iโm not surprised he came back like this. But itโs not easy to perform at this level after four weeks out. Iโm not shocked, though; heโs a top professional.โ
On reaching his 100th appearance for Arsenal, Saliba commented: โIโm very proud.
โI hope to play more games for this amazing club.
โI need to keep pushing forward, but of course, reaching 100 games here is incredible.โ