William Saliba thinks team-mate Martin Odegaard is âtop threeâ in the world in his position with the Arsenal squad âhappy to have him backâ after injury.
The Norway international missed two months of club football earlier this season after picking up an injury on international duty with his country.
Odegaard didnât play for Arsenal between their 1-1 draw against Brighton on August 31 and the Gunnersâ 1-0 loss to Inter Milan in the Champions League on November 6.
The Arsenal midfielderâs absence coincided with the Gunners dropping down the Premier League table to fourth as Mikel Artetaâs side picked up one point from matches against Bournemouth, Liverpool and Newcastle.
Arsenal appeared to be back to their brilliant best over the past couple of matches with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League backed up by a 5-1 victory over Sporting CP in the Champions League.
Saliba told Arsenalâs official website: âI think we had two or three weeks before the international break when it was really tough, but now, we get back and we play two really good games.
âBut itâs not enough, we have to keep going like this and we have a big game on Saturday.
âBut itâs good, itâs good for the confidence that we won today and letâs keep going like this.
âThe coach always told us to believe because we are a really good team. We had some bad times, but now better times are coming so we have to stick together and keep going like that.â
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On having Odegaard back after the Arsenal midfielderâs injury, Saliba added:Â âI think heâs one of the best midfielders in the world and we are so happy to have him back. We are better with him so I hope he wonât get injured again. Of course, we have to enjoy playing with him. We can see since heâs back we are better.
âHeâs top three [in the world]. I donât want to put too much pressure on him but I think top three. I love this guy.
âHe worked hard at the training ground so Iâm not surprised that he came back like this but of course, itâs not easy when you havenât played for four weeks to come back at this level. Iâm not in shock, heâs a top professional.â
On making his 100th appearance for Arsenal, Saliba responded: âIâm very proud. I hope I will have more games with this amazing club.
âI have to keep going but of course 100 games here is amazing.â
