Mikel Arteta credited, as pundit names Arsenal star who is reminiscent of world-class Prem ace

Arsenal have been told they have their very own version of Kevin de Bruyne in the shape of club captain, Martin Odegaard.

Odegaard is leading Arsenal this season and it has been a positive start. Mikel Arteta’s side have a perfect record from their first four Premier League games of 2022-23. As a result, they are top of the formative table.

Their skipper has certainly been impressive, with three goals from those first four games. He scored a brace against Bournemouth and then followed it up with a goal against Fulham at the weekend.

The Norway international seems to be thriving with his new responsibility. Indeed, he has now earned a comparison with Manchester City assist king, Kevin de Bruyne.

According to former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino, there is a similarity between the two. With that in mind, Arsenal have done very well to secure Odegaard’s services for the long-term.

Cascarino told talkSPORT: “One player that stood out, he’s so much like Kevin de Bruyne, is Odegaard.

“His ability to pass the ball, move it and you have to give a lot of credit to Arteta because he had been on loan and he didn’t send him back.

“He made him one of his primary recruitment, the one he wanted to bring through the door and he’s so gifted.

“He’s the Kevin de Bruyne of Arsenal for me. He’s got everything. His feet are so quick, he can play long passes, he can play short.

No surprise that Odegaard has become Arsenal captain

“He’s hungry, he wants to get goals. He does everything that you expect and it wasn’t a surprise to me that he got given the captain’s armband.

“For me, [Kieran] Tierney could have easily been that 18 months ago, the new captain of Arsenal. They’re starting to find leaders within their group.

“He’s got everything, there isn’t anything he can’t do. He has a hunger and desire in his game.”

Odegaard’s overall record for Arsenal since signing from Real Madrid reads 64 appearances, 12 goals and seven assists. And at the age of 23, there could be many more to come.

The attacking midfielder will be hoping there are some honours with the club to follow as well.

That said, he still has some way to go to replicate what De Bruyne has done with Manchester City. Indeed, the Belgian has played in 312 games for City, scoring 87 goals and adding 124 assists.

Several years older than Odegaard, though, De Bruyne has had plenty of time to build up those tallies – and Arsenal’s counterpart has time on his side now too.

READ MORE: Patrick Vieira names much-maligned Arsenal star as one of his three favourite Premier League midfielders