“I wouldn’t swap him for Bruno.” Arsenal told they got a player playing better than ever now and makes them tick

 “I wouldn’t swap him for Bruno.” Arsenal told they got a player playing better than ever now and makes them tick

Former England striker and Arsenal supporter Darren Bent claims he would not trade the ‘ideal’ Martin Odegaard for Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes.

Odegaard, a Norwegian international, has had an impressive season with the Gunners, scoring five goals and assisting three others in the Premier League to help Arsenal rise into the top four.

Bent is a big fan of Odegaard and says that Manchester United’s prominent midfielder Fernandes would not be able to replace him at Arsenal.

Fernandes, 27, has 35 goals and 25 assists in 78 Premier League outings for United since signing from Sporting Lisbon in 2020.

“Of course, he’s been a very good player for Manchester United, but I’m still waiting for him to turn up when they really need him in those big games,” Bent said of Fernandes.

When y talkSPORT anchor Andy Goldstein asked if he was being harsh on Fernandes, whom he would undoubtedly want to see join his beloved Arsenal, Fernandes responded: “No, I wouldn’t – I’ll tell you that right now. No, I would not.

“Right now, I’d rather have Martin Odegaard with the way Arsenal are playing. I’m taking Odegaard in that role for Arsenal. He’s perfect for what Arsenal are doing right now. I wouldn’t swap him for Bruno.”

This week, Odegaard received plaudits from an Arsenal icon, Paul Merson, who believes the former Real Madrid midfielder is now “one of the top players in the Premier League.”

“Martin Odegaard has proved me wrong and is becoming the leader Arsenal need to pass their toughest test yet,” Merson told the Daily Star.

“He is the main man there now and the first name on the teamsheet for me. He has really improved and is doing the business.

“I think the players respect him because they can see he’s a real player. I didn’t see it at first, I have to admit.

“It looked like he didn’t really want to leave Real Madrid, and I didn’t think he pulled up any trees on his loan spell at Arsenal.

“He could have sulked and lost his confidence when Madrid didn’t want him any more, but he’s playing better than ever now. He’s Arsenal’s go-to man and he makes them tick.

“He isn’t a leader in terms of running around and kicking people or barking out orders. But in terms of the way he’s playing he is.

“The way he’s turned it around people are looking at him now and fair play, he has done very, very well. He always wants the ball and knows how to use it. That’s leadership too.

“I take my hat off to him because he’s top, top drawer. One of the best in the Premier League in my opinion.”

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal sit fourth in the Premier League, three points ahead of north London and top-four rivals Tottenham. They play Crystal Palace on April 4th.

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 “I wouldn’t swap him for Bruno.” Arsenal told they got a player playing better than ever now and makes them tick