– It’s on purpose – NRK Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule

– I think it’s on purpose, said an impressed Lars Tjærnås when Martin Ødegaard sent Arsenal into the lead against Luton in the first half.

The Viaplay expert believes that Ødegaard proved that he let the ball slip off his left ankle. As a result, the ball got an outward screw which caused it to spin past the fingertips of Thomas Kaminski in the Luton goal – and into the left corner.

– He does this so that the ball gets farthest from the goalkeeper. He is actually that good, exclaimed Tjærnås.

In the Viaplay studio, Jan Åge Fjørtoft also used big words to describe the 1-0 score.

– Look at the touch! That touch could be in a romantic film, it’s so beautiful by Martin Ødegaard, said the former top scorer enthusiastically.

The same detail was praised by SkySports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

– What a finish by Ødegaard … He cuts masterfully over the ball … if it was a golf shot, we’re talking a “punchy low fade”, he wrote in the live updates at the media giant.

This is Ødegaard’s seventh goal this season and his 30th overall in the Arsenal kit.

Took top of the table

With Wednesday’s 2-0 victory, the London team climbed all the way to the top of the Premier League with eight games remaining, which the home team’s supporters celebrated.

“We’re top of the league”, echoed across the Emirates just before the referee blew the whistle.

– Arsenal have not won the league for 20 years, but can smell the Premier League title, said Viaplay commentator Kasper Wikestad.

But there are still quite a few games left. And it is likely to be an intense golden match between Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.

The latter, who are one point behind Arsenal, have a game less played and face Sheffield United on Thursday night.

At the time of writing, Manchester City are playing at home against Aston Villa and are leading 4–1. Ødegaard’s national team colleague Erling Braut Haaland sits on the bench for City.

Own goal

The red and whites had few problems at home against relegation candidate Luton. Especially in the first half, the home team persevered with brilliant attacking play. At the same time, the Luton defense struggled greatly.

This became apparent, among other things, when Arsenal went up to 2–0 just before the break. Emilie Smith-Rowe shot the ball in from the left. Luton player Daiki Hashioka was unlucky and put the ball into his own goal in a duel with Reiss Nelson.

Martin Ødegaard and Arsenal await Brighton on Saturday.