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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti hails Arsenal star as ‘one of the best in Europe’

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Carlo Ancelotti speaking ahead of Arsenal v Real Madrid (Picture: Getty)

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has hailed Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard as ‘one of the best players in Europe’ ahead of the Champions League quarter-final.

Odegaard spent six years at Real Madrid earlier in his career but only made 11 appearances for the first-team before being sold to Arsenal in 2021.

Arsenal decided to spend £30m on the Norwegian after a bright loan spell at the Emirates Stadium and that fee has proved to be an absolute bargain.

Odegaard has been one of the most influential players at Arsenal over the past four seasons, making close to 200 appearances for the club and being handed the captain’s armband.

Ancelotti has been impressed by Odegaard’s development and believes he is now ‘one of the best players in Europe’.

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‘I saw him as a real young player,’ Ancelotti said at his pre-match press conference on Monday evening.

Arsenal FC Training Session - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg
Martin Odegaard in Arsenal training before the Real Madrid clash (Picture: Getty)

‘The talent he has now is the same talent he had at 17-years-old. He has had courage to go elsewhere and seek new opportunities to become one of the best players in Europe.’

Arsenal thrashed PSV 9-2 across two legs to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Reigning champions Real Madrid, meanwhile, edged out arch-rivals Atletico in a dramatic penalty shootout.

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Arsenal are second in the Premier League ahead of their tie against Real Madrid, having been held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at the weekend.

Real Madrid suffered a shock defeat at home to Valencia on Saturday to slip four points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.

On Arsenal and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, Ancelotti added: ‘Arsenal is very strong and powerful from set pieces.

‘We’ll try to defend as best we can, but we can also hurt the other team from set pieces. It’s a very important aspect of the game.

‘Mikel is doing a fantastic job. In five years he has taken this team to the top of Europe, he is doing very well.

‘He has built a complete team, and there are not many complete teams in Europe. There are not many complete teams like Arsenal.’

More to follow…

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