Head coach Mikel Arteta has hailed Norwegian captain Martin Odegaard as phenomenal.

The Norway midfielder’s display in Wednesday’s 2-0 Champions League win over Olympiacos proved why he is such a crucial figure for the Gunners.

Arteta has challenged the former Real Madrid starlet to be a risk-taker to make a greater creative difference for the side:

“I think that creativity is his nature,” said the Spaniard. “It doesn’t bring any pressure to him, as it is his best ability to generate things that not a lot of players can do.

“He has my total freedom from my side to explore and take risks and to feel the movement in how he generates spaces – and he has done that the last two games.”