Martin Odegaard has chance to join prestigious list of Arsenal legends next week including Henry and Bergkamp

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has gone from strength to strength in North London, and enjoyed an excellent campaign last season.

Odegaard has now established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, and is a key player for Mikel Arteta’s team.

The Norweigan’s superb displays last season have now been recognised, with Odegaard winning Arsenal’s Player of the Year award, and he has now been nominated for another prize.

Manchester City star Phil Foden won the Premier League Player of the Year award after helping his side win the title, but Odegaard was one of the nominees.

The Arsenal midfielder has now been nominated alongside Foden for another award, but this time he will hope to win it.

Martin Odegaard of Arsenal and Phil Foden of Manchester City battle for the ball  during The FA Community Shield match between Manchester City agai...
Photo by Paul Harding – The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Arsenal star Martin Odegaard nominated for PFA Players’ Player Of The Year award

Odegaard has now been nominated for the PFA Players’ Player Of The Year award, alongside Man City’s Foden, Rodri and Erling Haaland, as well as Chelsea star Cole Palmer and Aston Villa attacker Ollie Watkins.

The award is decided based on votes from members of the PFA – Professional Footballer’s Association, which extends to most players in the Premier League.

If Odegaard does win, he will join some legendary Arsenal players in the history books to have won it in North London.

Arsenal players who won the PFA Players’ Player Of The Year Award

The award began in the 1973-74 season, and Arsenal legend Liam Brady became the club’s first winner in 1979, as he helped his side win the FA Cup, but the Gunners finished seventh in the First Division.

Arsenal did not have another winner until 1998, when the legendary Dennis Bergkamp helped Arsenal win the double in Arsene Wenger’s first full season in charge, and his 22 goals and 13 assists across all competitions proved crucial.

Thierry Henry then became the first player to win the award in back-to-back seasons, triumphing in 2003 and 2004. The end of the 2002-03 season saw Arsenal miss out on the Premier League title, but Henry’s outstanding performances earned him the award, before he then led his side to undefeated glory the following year to claim it again.

The only other Arsenal player to win the award was Robin van Persie after the 2011-12 season. He was truly excellent that year, with 30 goals and 11 assists in 38 league games, but his legacy was tarnished as he completed a controversial move to Manchester United at the end of that season.

Odegaard will hope to win the award to join these great players, and will hope for a greater legacy than the one Van Persie left.

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