‘Total superstar’ – La Liga star admits Arsenal ace has blown him away following ‘hyper-high’ improvement | OneFootball

Arsenal strolled to a 7-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the first-leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday night, and Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro has admitted he tuned in to watch his former teammates Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino in action.

The Spain international midfielder led the line, grabbing a goal and an assist, while the Gunners skipper bagged a brace and an assist as the visitors ran riot in the Netherlands.

Remiro was impressed with the Arsenal duo, showering praise on them for their impressive individual performances for the North London club.

“I had the Madrid derby on the telly and the other game on the iPad, watching Meri [Mikel Merino],” Remiro told the Guardian.

“Playing up front! It’s not normal. Although I reckon you’re more surprised than we are here. He’s so strong, so smart, and when you know when to move, which I think is innate, you can score goals. Meri watches a lot of football, focuses on everything and his dad was a forward. He’s sharp. Put a cross into the box, and it’s very likely he will get a head on it.

“As for Martin [Ødegaard], he came here, showed his level, and it was a pity when he went back to Madrid and didn’t really get the chance, because the level he is showing at Arsenal is hyper-high. He’s a total superstar.”

Odegaard has proven his quality as one of the best midfielders in the land since joining the Gunners, and he will hope his performance on Tuesday can help spur him on following an underwhelming individual campaign thus far.

Arsenal could do with his influence in the final third amid their injury woes in attack, and he stepped up against PSV to deliver the goods.

They return to Premier League action on Sunday with a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United, and Odegaard will look to continue from where he stopped on Tuesday.

Merino is expected to lead the line against the Red Devils, and helping Arsenal to pick up all three points will be on his mind as failure to do so would further deal a blow on their title chances.