Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has expressed admiration for Gunners’ captain Martin Odegaard in a thrilling UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg clash against Porto on Tuesday night.
The lone goal of the tie arrived in the 41st minute of the second leg, with Arsenal ultimately prevailing over the Portuguese side 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.
Henry, an Arsenal legend, commended Odegaard for his exquisite through-ball that set up Leandro Trossard’s composed finish to level the scoreline at the Emirates Stadium.
Reflecting on the game during an interview with CBS post-match, Henry highlighted the importance of Odegaard’s precision in executing a long ball, a testament to the midfielder’s footballing intelligence and vision.
Drawing parallels to Arsenal’s iconic player Dennis Bergkamp, Henry praised Odegaard’s ability to manipulate the ball onto his favored left foot, allowing him to deliver a perfectly placed pass through the defender’s legs, ensuring Trossard’s clinical finish.
“The way he [Martin] shifted the ball back onto his left foot, to find that little pass that went in between the leg of the player, to make sure Trossard was going to finish it and he finished it ever-so well,” Henry said.
“What I like here is what Odegaard did when the ball comes back here. Is that Bergkamp-like? Yes, very much so.”
