Parlour exclusive: Bergkamp-like Odegaard among Arsenal's greatest signings

When Martin degaard stepped up against Aston Villa, it marked the 10-year anniversary of him making his debut for Norwegian club Strmsgodset. Back then, he was a 15-year-old boy, soon to be snapped up by Real Madrid, before landing at Arsenal on a permanent contract in 2021 for 30m.

"I'd like to see what he's worth now because he's certainly been a brilliant player for Arsenal," Ray Parlour tells Tribalfootball.com of what looks like a massive bargain for Arsenal.

"He's one of the better signings they've ever done."

degaard ran the show in the first half against Aston Villa, just like he's done so often and just like Parlour and Gunners fans love to see from the Norwegian.

"He's getting on the ball, he does twists and turns, trying all sorts of things. He's got great vision of when to put the pass in. It's all about the pace of the pass and when the player wants it. He sees things that probably other players don't see, which is genius sometimes," says Parlour, who has played with and seen some big talents in the Arsenal shirt in past decades, but where does degaard rank?

"Dennis Bergkamp was very similar. I think, degaard still got a few more years to get into Bergkamp's bracket. But he's certainly going the right way," Parlour continues, adding his belief in the Norwegian to only improve further.

"He can do it. He's got a good young team around him. He's obviously a skipper, which is very important for him as well. He's certainly been one of the best players in the Premier League this year."