LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 22: Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United battles for possession with Martin Odegaard of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 22 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes would start ahead of Martin Odegaard in Arsenal’s midfield, according to Danny Murphy.
The duo are among the most effective attacking midfielders on the planet at the moment and play key roles for their respective clubs, both wearing the captain’s armband.
Fernandes joined Man Utd from Sporting CP in January 2020 and has since registered 79 goals and 70 assists in 239 appearances in all competitions. In fact, no player has created more chances (451) in the Premier League since his debut.
Odegaard, meanwhile, joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in January 2021, initially on loan before making the move permanent the following summer. Since then, the Norway international has scored 35 goals and provided 25 assists in 156 appearances in all competitions.
Fernandes has “the edge” on Odegaard, says Murphy
Both are elite players, but former Liverpool, Fulham and Tottenham star Murphy believes it is Fernandes who has the edge thanks to his superior creativity.
“It’s just a preference. Mine would depend on who else is on the team, that’s how close,” Murphy said when asked. talkSPORT co-host Andy Goldstein, which he prefers between the two.
“For example, if you had Declan Rice and (Thomas) Partey behind Fernandes, it would probably go to Fernandes.”
The former England international then questioned whether Fernandes would start over Odegaard in Arsenal’s current midfield.
“It’s very close,” he continued. “I think Bruno will score more goals for you, but Odegaard also scores. you know what I’d be happy with either.
“The one thing Odegaard gives you that Bruno doesn’t is a better defensive job, Odegaard is better defensively than Bruno.
“So I think (Mikel) Arteta would pick Odegaard over Bruno even if he had Bruno.
“But for me, I think Bruno probably almost had the upper hand in terms of creativity.
“I think I wouldn’t need his defensive work if I have two brilliant midfielders if I played that way, but there’s not much.”
Top photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
