3 Underrated Players in Arsenal's Derby Day Win Against Tottenham

3 underrated players in derby day win against Tottenham

Arsenal players celebrate after Arsenal's Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey scored his team's first goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 1, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Saturday proved to be a brilliant performance in the sunshine at the Emirates. The Arsenal players dominated from the first whistle until the last, attacking with a level of relentlessness that has defined their style this season. Wave after wave of attacks broke against the Tottenham defence until they cracked, with Arsenal winning handily.

Certain players grabbed the attention of fans worldwide. The one who opened the scoring with a cracker of a finish, Thomas Partey, and new fan-favourite William Saliba deservedly stood out with their performances.

Other players, however, flew under the radar although they were equally important.

3 underrated players from derby day win against Tottenham

Here are three underrated players from the derby day win against Tottenham.

3. Martin Odegaard

Martin Odegaard wasn’t at his most influential. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

Fans may recall the days of the infamous “horseshoe” passing map. In central attacking midfield, there was a gaping hole. Martin Odegaard then signed for the club and immediately raised the technical level of the team.

His passing was quick and incisive, while his bright relationship with Bukayo Saka carried Arsenal at times last season. Some supporters have pointed to Odegaard’s stats this season, solely looking at his end product and thus criticising the midfielder. “He should be scoring and assisting more,” they cry. Yet Odegaard has quietly been running games.

His position has changed from being the pure attacking midfielder to dropping a bit deeper into a right midfield role to build up play. Carrying out the manager’s instructions, Odegaard has been instrumental in getting Arsenal up the pitch. His passing accuracy remains incredibly high and his engine ensures that he can drop deep to interchange passes while also being a presence in and around the opposing box, still sliding passes into his front line.

The Norwegian may not have gotten on the score sheet against Tottenham but his technical security on the ball offers a sense of calmness. Watching him glide across the pitch is a gift that every Arsenal fan deserves and every Arsenal fan should appreciate.

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