Martin Odegaard's strike against Newcastle on Sunday means two Arsenal players have scored more than 15 goals in a Premier League season for the first time ever.
The Gunners won 2-0 at St James' Park to keep their slim title hopes alive. Captain Odegaard hit a low effort from distance in the 14th minute to breach one of the Premier League's toughest defences before an own goal from Fabian Schar ended the contest.
The other Arsenal player to hit the 15-goal mark in the Premier League this season is Gabriel Martinelli, who reached the target last month. Sunday's result means Arsenal are now just one point behind leaders Manchester City having played a game more.
Odegaard is enjoying his finest season to date, with the Norwegian also providing eight assists in the Premier League. Martinelli has chipped in with five assists in the division, while Bukayo Saka's 13 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League have made a big difference.
"Martin Odegaard always has so much time," former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live. "The best players in the world make time stand still on the football pitch and slow things down. It’s such an art."
Gary Neville was also impressed with Odegaard's strike against Newcastle. He told Sky Sports: "[He's got a] brilliant left foot and you just cannot leave him free from 20 yards out."
What did you make of Arsenal's performance on Sunday? Let us know in the comments below!
As for Martinelli, Warnock said: "It’s really positive play from Gabriel Martinelli. In the first half he was really quiet but he’s really grown into the game in the second half. A really positive performance... very professional from Mikel Arteta's team."
Arsenal will need Odegaard to be at his best if they are to pip City. Their remaining three Premier League games are against Brighton (home), Nottingham Forest (away) and Wolves (home) - and they will need to win all three to have any chance of winning the title.
Pep Guardiola's side do have to contend with a difficult run in, though. They must travel to struggling Everton and play Chelsea at home before difficult trips to Brighton and Brentford. They also have a Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid to contend with.
City need to win just three of their last four games to get over the line, something they are expected to achieve. Nevertheless, it's Arsenal who must keep on winning until the final day of the season... just in case the champions slip up.
Odegaard and Martinelli should be applauded for their achievement. Arsenal have boasted some superb forwards during the Premier League era - including Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Ian Wright, Nicolas Anelka, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robin van Persie.
Only five players have scored more Premier League goals than Odegaard and Martinelli this season. Marcus Rashford of Manchester United (16), Mohamed Salah of Liverpool (19), Ivan Toney of Brentford (20), Harry Kane of Tottenham (26) and City's Erling Haaland (35).
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2023-05-07 18:51:57Z
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