Roy Keane having none of it as Arsenal star Martin Odegaard brutally told 'it's your job'

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has been lauded for his hearty display against Chelsea earlier this month, but former Manchester United captain Roy Keane was not impressed

Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard played the full 96 minutes against Chelsea shortly after his ankle injury return, earning himself praise from some, as well as a jibe from Roy Keane.

The Gunners maestro had been sidelined for a significant chunk of the season after picking up the knock during Norway's September international fixtures. After a 14-match absence, Odegaard stepped back onto the pitch earlier this month in the Champions League against Inter Milan, contributing a brief one-minute appearance in Arsenal's narrow 1-0 loss.

A mere four days on, he was holding down the fort for the full duration of Arsenals gritty 1-1 Premier League draw with Chelsea, notching up an impressive 96 minutes despite recently shaking off the injury.

Odegaard's pivotal role included an assist for Gabriel Martinelli's goal and maintaining his position on the field for the entire match.

His longevity in the match defied fan expectations that he'd be subbed to manage his post-injury minutes gradually, reports Football London. And on a recent instalment of Sky's The Overlap, both Ian Wright and Jill Scott lauded the Norwegian's resilience.

"He needs plaudits for that because usually when you come back especially after an ankle injury, it's like 30 minutes your first game, then 60, he did well to get through 96 minutes," said Scott.

Keane was unimpressed with the praise for Odegaard's stamina, though, remarking sarcastically: "It's his job innit? Like a pilot you've got an 8-hour flight, 'oh I can only do 6'... Jesus, 96 minutes? Praise the Lord."

Meanwhile, The Athletic reported the praise the Norway captain received from Arsenal staff due to his commitment during his injury layoff, reporting: "That Odegaard could exhibit such stamina immediately upon returning is testament to the dedication he showed during his rehabilitation.

"Arsenal's staff were delighted with how he followed their instructions, doing everything possible to accelerate his recovery. Whether it was wearing protective boots or undergoing red-light therapy, Odegaard left no stone unturned in his attempts to regain fitness as soon as possible."

Odegaard is set to boost Arsenal's hopes of rediscovering their top form when they face Nottingham Forest this Saturday (November 23) at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta's team is looking to end a four-game winless streak in the Premier League.

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