Former England international Ashley Young said watching Martin Ødegaard in Arsenal’s match against Chelsea was “pure pleasure”, highlighting the Norwegian’s performance after viewing the London Premier League fixture.
Young, who played for a number of Premier League clubs during his career, took particular enjoyment from watching Ødegaard. His comments focused on the Arsenal player rather than the wider details of the match, with the former England footballer singling out the Norwegian for special praise.
“Watching Ødegaard is pure pleasure,” Young said.
The fixture brought together two London clubs and gave Young the opportunity to assess Ødegaard’s contribution in an Arsenal shirt. The midfielder has represented Arsenal since 2021, and his display was the main feature to catch Young’s attention.
Young’s assessment comes from the perspective of a former top-level player who represented England and spent much of his club career in the Premier League. He has therefore watched the development of the competition’s leading players from close range, both during his own playing days and after leaving the pitch.
For Ødegaard, the recognition adds to the attention surrounding his role at Arsenal. Since joining the club in 2021, the Norway international has become an established figure in the team. Young’s remarks underline the impression made by the midfielder’s performance during the meeting with Chelsea.
No further details of the match were provided in the comments, and Young did not expand on any other player or aspect of the game. His reaction was concentrated on Ødegaard and the enjoyment he took from watching the Arsenal midfielder.
The Norwegian’s presence was the defining point of Young’s response. Rather than offering a broad assessment of the contest between Arsenal and Chelsea, the former Premier League player expressed his admiration for Ødegaard’s display in particular.
Young’s words also reflect the appeal of watching an accomplished midfielder operate in a high-profile London fixture. For the former England player, Ødegaard was the standout element of the game, with his performance making the match especially enjoyable to follow.
Ødegaard has been with Arsenal since 2021, while Young’s career included appearances for England and a number of Premier League clubs. Their careers have followed different paths, but Young’s latest comments show the respect he has for the Arsenal player’s football.
The central message from Young was clear: watching Ødegaard play brought him considerable pleasure, and the Arsenal midfielder was the player who most impressed him during the match against Chelsea.