Arsenal legend Alan Smith has insisted that "outstanding" Martin Odegaard needs to win trophies in order to justify being compared with Dennis Bergkamp.
Odegaard, who joined the Gunners from Real Madrid for £30million in August 2021, has been likened to Bergkamp in recent months after impressing since his move. The Norwegian was made their club captain going into the 2022/23 season and scored a career-best 15 goals in 45 appearances last term.
He has continued his form into this campaign, notching 11 goals and nine assists in 44 matches to date as he spearheads Arsenal's push for the Premier League title. It has seen fans and former players draw comparisons between Odegaard and former Gunners star Bergkamp.
Bergkamp scored over 100 goals and won seven major trophies during his successful 11-year stint at the Gunners. And Smith believes Odegaard has a "bit of work" to go to reach the same level as the legendary Dutchman, highlighting the need to win some trophies with the Gunners first to be compared.
Smith told Crypto Casino: "What I will say is that there aren't many about like Martin Odegaard these days. I know he's been mentioned in the same sentence as Dennis Bergkamp – my opinion is that he's got a bit of work to go to be on the same level as him and needs to win some trophies with the club first, but he's been an outstanding signing since he joined.
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"I wouldn’t have put him down as club captain a few years ago, but he's one of those players who leads by example and talks a lot more now than he used to.
"I think he's enjoying that responsibility and it’s actually helping his game – he just roams the pitch and hunts the ball all the time and tries to make things happen. Hopefully he can stay fit now and realise the potential that everyone knew he had when he was at Real Madrid."
Martin Odegaard has been in sublime form for Arsenal this season (Andrew Kearns/Getty Images)Odegaard shone once more for the Gunners during their 5-0 drubbing over Chelsea on Tuesday. The 25-year-old grabbed two assists and was superb throughout the match as they kept their Premier League title dream alive. Arsenal now sit four points clear of Manchester City, who do have two games in hand.
Speaking after the match, Arteta heaped praise on his skipper. "We agreed that it was a huge talent which we could develop. There was a long period where he was exceptional and we were so convinced that he could add something special to the team," Arteta said on TNT Sports.
"He is loved by everybody, the way he loves his game and it's more than enough for everyone else to follow him."
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