Mikel Arteta identifies new leader to take the Gunners to the next level

Resilience, determination and guts were all on firm display in Arsenal’s incredible 3-3 draw against West Ham on Sunday. 

The Hammers looked to be in cruise control when Jesse Lingard, Reece Bowen and Tomas Soucek fired West Ham into a three goal lead after 30 minutes.

But the third appeared to flick a switch within Mikel Arteta’s side, who got themselves back into the contest before half-time as Alexandre Lacazette’s firm effort deflected off Soucek and past Lukasz Fabianski.

In the second half, the Gunners completed the comeback with an unfortunate Craig Dawson own goal and a powerful header from Lacazette.

While there will be better results for Arsenal, it was a magnificent recovery from the North Londoners considering David Moyes’ side’s excellent form coming into the contest.

In his post match interview, the Arsenal manager reserved extra praise for Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard, who terrorised the West Ham defence all game.

Odegaard looks at home at The Emirates

According the Daily Mirror, Arteta also hinted that he could be looking to keep the 22-year old who has also been named as the captain of the Norway.

“The way he steps on the pitch, he always wants the ball, the way he commands the pressing. He’s been really influential,” said the Spaniard.

“I think we’ve all been a bit surprised because he looks really shy and humble, but when he steps on that pitch he’s a real character and he loves to play football.

“I think he was very intelligent the way he read the game, the way he affected the game and again he showed how much he wanted to win.

“When everyone was a little trembling he gave us that stability and that composure on the ball and he created chance after chance.”

With his performances, which have included a goal in the North London derby, catching the eye since his arrival, Arsenal fans will hope that Odegaard can indeed make a permanent switch to the Emirates.