Sunday, November 8, 2026

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has praised Martin Odegaard after Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 Premier League win over Hull City, describing the captain as “like a new signing” for Mikel Arteta’s side.

Odegaard scored the decisive goal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, November 7, helping Arsenal collect three valuable points and remain top of the league table.

The hosts faced a difficult afternoon against a disciplined Hull side, whose organised defence made it challenging to create clear openings. Although Arsenal enjoyed periods of pressure and produced several chances, they struggled to turn possession into a goal.

Declan Rice went close on three occasions, while Noni Madueke also had opportunities to break the deadlock. Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis was in excellent form, making important saves to keep the visitors level and raise the possibility of an upset.

Arsenal eventually found the breakthrough in the 72nd minute. Madueke’s attempt was stopped by Tzolakis, but Odegaard reacted quickly to the rebound and sent the ball into the net. His finish proved enough to secure a hard-earned victory.

Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, Merson highlighted the Norwegian midfielder’s importance and praised his contribution. He was particularly impressed by Odegaard’s quick passing, movement and ability to find useful positions in midfield.

Merson suggested that Arsenal were sometimes guilty of slowing their attacks by taking too many touches. In his view, this gave Hull time to recover their shape and made it easier for the visitors to defend.

“He’s been outstanding. He’s the only one really that moves it quickly,” Merson said.

He added that Odegaard moved the ball promptly, continued his movement and positioned himself intelligently, while other Arsenal players held possession for too long and allowed Hull to settle defensively.

The former England international then underlined the captain’s contribution this season, saying he looked “like a new signing” for Arsenal. The assessment reflects the midfielder’s improved impact after a less productive previous campaign.

Odegaard, 27, scored only once in 36 appearances across all competitions last season. He has already scored five times in all competitions during the current campaign, showing a significant improvement in his attacking output.

His strike against Hull further demonstrated his value to Arteta’s team, particularly in a match when Arsenal needed an individual contribution to turn pressure into a winning result.

Merson accepted that Arsenal had not delivered their strongest performance, but stressed that collecting all three points was what mattered. He suggested that victories of this kind could prove crucial when the title race is assessed at the end of the season, especially if Arsenal retain their crown.

He also praised Tzolakis, describing the Hull goalkeeper as the visitors’ best performer after his impressive saves.

Arsenal’s weekend was made better by Manchester City’s unexpected 3-1 loss away to Nottingham Forest. That result extended the Gunners’ advantage over City to six points, strengthening their position at the summit as they continue their pursuit of another Premier League title in the ongoing Premier League title race.