Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal proved they are currently the best defensive team in world football after their victory over Liverpool at Anfield. He singled out captain Ødegaard's crucial role in the winning goal.
"This Arsenal team is not only the best defensive team in the Premier League, I think they are now the best defensive team in world football," Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football.
Most of the outside praise for Arsenal's winning goal focused on Rice, who drove forward and delivered a precise pass for Havertz to finish from close range at the far post. However, Jamie Carragher pointed out that Ødegaard's pressing in the early stages of the move was equally important. His aggressive pressure forced Liverpool to lose possession in their own half very quickly after a short goal kick, something that has been a recurring problem for Liverpool recently.
"I don't know if Liverpool intended for Mac Allister to be further forward and Jérémy Jacquet to push up, but Ødegaard's performance was outstanding, and that must be made clear," Jamie Carragher said.
"Christos Tzolis's pressing was excellent, and Ødegaard was very decisive. He almost got to the ball before Mac Allister, but only people inside Liverpool would truly know what the plan was. Rice's pass was superb. It was Liverpool's own mistake, but Arsenal also did very well. The plan should have been for Ødegaard to press immediately when the ball went to Mac Allister. Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion have used similar methods, but they won the ball back in other areas of the pitch."