'I watched Arsenal star Martin Odegaard when he was just 14 and this is what I thought' - legendary scout

Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard's technical ability was already evident when he was just 14, but he lacked a work rate.

That is according to experienced former Premier League scout and expert on Scandinavian football, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 27-year-old continued his electric start to the season with a star performance on Sunday as the Gunners beat Chelsea 2-1.

Odegaard scored the winner with his third goal of the campaign, already eclipsing his tally from last season.

The midfielder has struggled from injuries over the last couple of years, but looked to turn a corner at the World Cup when he led Norway to the quarter-final.

Odegaard and Arsenal will hope that this season can see him return to his very best, as they look to retain their Premier League title and end their wait to win the Champions League.

Martin Odegaard was bound to be 'world-class'

When Odegaard was just 13 years old, he was already training with the Stromsgodset first team and aged 15, he made his debut in Norway's first tier.

By the end of his first season, the talent had scored five goals and provided seven assists, placing him among the most exciting young players in Europe.

Odegaard would ultimately choose Real Madrid, but not before having the pick of nearly every recognisable team in world football.

"Technically, he's as good a player as there is in Europe and he always has been since he was 14 years of age," King told Football Insider.

"I remember seeing him when he was 14 and thinking, 'if he gets a work rate and looking to get involved more, you've got a world class footballer here'. And I think he showed in the World Cup what he's capable of.

"One of his problems at Arsenal was that he was picking up injuries, but he seems to have come through the summer. And he's started this season with a bang.

"He is a very good player. I mean, you look at him sometimes and you think, well, is he strong enough? As I did when he was 14. You know, he was playing against kids his age.

"I wasn't alone in thinking he was a lazy bugger, but technically, when he's on the ball, I was saying to other scouts, 'when he's walking around, he looks a bit like a miserable 14-year-old, but when he's got the ball, he looks like a 25-year-old'.

"He's got such good technique. And he sees passes that a lot of people don't see. Of course, the goal, what a finish that was."

The stats from Odegaard's fine display vs Chelsea

Odegaard ran the show against Chelsea on Sunday, seemingly being involved in every single phase of play.

In addition to his winner, the Arsenal captain created four chances and should have had an assist, with 0.88 expected assists.

The midfielder also completed a remarkable 24 line-breaking passes and was fouled three times, with Chelsea unable to get anywhere near him.

Nor can anyone, when Odegaard is in form like this. Arsenal will hope that it stays that way this season.