Riccardo Calafiori says ‘you can feel it’ when Odegaard is missing after Norwegian’s dazzling display against Forest | OneFootball

Riccardo Calafiori admits Martin Odegaard is a huge loss to Arsenal when he’s out, after the midfielder’s first home game since August resulted in a much needed win over Nottingham Forest.

It was Arsenal’s first win in five matches and their Norwegian captain was key to the victory. Speaking after the game about Odegaard’s importance, Calafiori said: “You can feel it when he’s missing. He gives us a lot of energy and quality. Him and Bukayo, what they did tonight was unbelievable. It’s good to have them back.”

Odegaard got an assist for Bukayo Saka’s goal and ran proceedings throughout. He was replaced by Ethan Nwaneri, who only had eight minutes to make his mark but did, scoring his first Premier League goal.

On Nwaneri, Calafiori said: “I’m really happy for him. He really deserved it. For me he is a pure talent and for sure you will see more from him on the pitch.” The defender also said he has ‘never seen’ a 17 year old with Nwaneri’s level of talent.

The match was Calafiori’s first in over a month, and he relished being back. “I really enjoyed being on the pitch, I missed this feeling and my team-mates a lot. I want to enjoy everything from now on.”

With the fixtures coming thick and fast until the end of the year, it is a huge plus for the Gunners to have him fit again.