Not Bukayo Saka or Declan Rice, but rather their £30 million teammate, is the most essential player for Arsenal in their match against Real Madrid.

As a result of the fact that Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were instrumental in Arsenal’s 3-0 triumph over Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal, it is reasonable to anticipate that they will continue to exhibit their exceptional abilities.

It is possible that Saka may present Fran Garcia with challenges in the second leg of the match, since Carlo Ancelotti appears to be planning to include the Spaniard in his starting eleven for the match that will take place on Wednesday.

While Declan Rice dominated Real Madrid in the middle of the pitch, it appears that Los Blancos are already formulating strategies to counter his menace. Furthermore, it is possible that Luka Modric, who is 39 years old, may be benched against Arsenal. However, in addition to Rice and Saka, Martin Odegaard is the individual who will be responsible for ensuring that Arsenal is victorious in their match against Real Madrid.

The most important player for Arsenal in their Champions League quarterfinal match against Real Madrid is Martin Odegaard. During the first leg of the match against Real Madrid, Odegaard displayed a few flashes of his magic, and it appeared as though the Arsenal captain was in the zone.

He was able to identify Bukayo Saka’s runs by playing him through in his signature manner, pressing from the front, and boldly getting on the ball.However, whether it was as a result of the strain of facing his former club, Real Madrid, or simply fading away, Odegaard permitted his Arsenal teammates to assume the responsibility last week. The Norwegian is the ideal candidate to dash their hopes by controlling the game, as Jude Bellingham disclosed that the word “remontada”

(which translates to comeback in Spanish) has been ringing around Los Merengues’ dressing room, highlighting their desire to pull off a miracle. Odegaard is unique among his Arsenal colleagues in that he is capable of playing the game at a variety of tempos. Consequently, he will be expected to calm the situation in the presence of a riled-up Santiago Bernabeu crowd when he faces Real Madrid.

The 25-year-old’s ability to take up the ball in every phase of the pitch and run the show is indicative of his abilities as a controller, as Mikel Arteta deployed him in a deeper midfield role last season. Additionally, his technical security and composed temperament are noteworthy. In the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final, Odegaard may not have the same degree of space and time on the ball as he did last week, as the hosts could press them very high up the pitch, as Carlo

Ancelotti has demanded extra effort from Real Madrid’s players against Arsenal. The Gunners technician will be expected to lead from the front by playing the game in a manner that is conducive to the visitors, given that Saka and Rice are anticipated to occupy positions in or near the final third.

What is Martin Odegaard’s record against Real Madrid? Odegaard’s record as a player against Real Madrid is respectable, if not spectacular, which will satisfy Arsenal fans. The £30 million (Sky Sports) player has won and lost two games in four appearances against the Spanish powers.

Odegaard’s childhood idol was Steven Gerrard, and if he is to make an impact on the game, he will need to emulate the legendary Liverpool captain, albeit in his own unique manner. It would be a fool’s endeavour to disbelieve the midfielder from Drammen, despite a relatively uneventful beginning.