Martin Ødegaard and Cole Palmer may represent rival sides in London football, with Ødegaard at Arsenal and Palmer at Chelsea, but the two share a common view on their toughest opponent.
Arsenal captain Ødegaard has been a standout performer since joining the Gunners from Real Madrid in 2021, initially on loan.
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The Norwegian playmaker has become central to Mikel Arteta’s vision for the team, scoring 35 goals in 159 appearances and growing into a leadership role after taking the captain’s armband in 2022, following the departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. ..Continue Reading
Arsenal’s reliance on Ødegaard has been particularly evident in recent weeks, as the team has struggled without him due to an ankle injury.
However, he made his return before the international break and is now looking to lead Arsenal through a successful winter campaign.
Ødegaard will captain Arsenal in their upcoming Champions League match on Tuesday night against Sporting Lisbon, who are still adjusting to life under new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.
The Gunners skipper took part in a quickfire Q&A session with TNT Sports before the game, and when asked who his toughest opponent was he answered without hesitation: “Virgil, a really tough one.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has faced Norway’s Martin Ødegaard six times since the latter’s arrival in the Premier League, although Ødegaard missed the 2-2 draw between the two sides at the Emirates earlier this season due to injury, a match in which Van Dijk scored for Liverpool.
Ødegaard’s choice of Van Dijk as his toughest opponent comes as little surprise. The Dutch defender has firmly established himself as one of the world’s top center-backs since joining Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018.
In fact, Van Dijk was also named by Chelsea’s Cole Palmer as his most difficult opponent in a similar interview earlier this season.
In a Q&A with Chelsea’s official media channels, Palmer gave a succinct response when asked the question, simply saying “Van Dijk” with his characteristic deadpan delivery.
Since joining Chelsea from Manchester City last summer, Palmer has faced Van Dijk three times, with Chelsea losing on each occasion.
Liverpool won both league encounters, 4-1 at Anfield last season and 2-1 in the current campaign. Additionally, they triumphed 1-0 in last season’s Carabao Cup final, with Van Dijk scoring the extra-time winner with a header.
