Man Utd great Paul Scholes says Arsenal star is ‘lucky’ after what he did for Gunners

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has suggested that Arsenal star Martin Odegaard may have got “lucky” in the build up to his goal against Watford at the weekend.

The Norwegian opened the scoring in a 3-2 win over the Hornets after a neat piece of interplay with Bukayo Saka. As part of the move, Odegaard released the winger with a first-time backheel that has inspired debate as to whether or not it was intentional.

And Scholes, alongside fellow pundit Yaya Toure, have weighed in with their opinions on the incident.

Regardless of intent, Odegaard’s strike was his fifth goal in a hugely successful season in north London that has also yielded four assists.

What did Scholes say about Odegaard’s pass?

Speaking on Premier League Productions, the former England international said: “We’re not sure if he means this, Odegaard to Saka, but if he does, give him credit, it’s a lovely finish.

“I’m not 100 per cent sure. I think from one angle it does look like he meant it, from this angle I think he’s a little bit lucky, I think he’s just wanting it to let it run across his body, it catches his heel and plays in Saka.”

What did Toure say about Odegaard’s pass?

Former Man City star Toure echoed Scholes’ doubts about whether Odegaard intended to pick out Saka with his backheel.

He said: “I think from my point of view he wants to control it.

“I think he got lucky with it, just touched it for Saka who was running behind the back of the defender.

“It was a pretty nice goal, nice movement, started from the midfield, beautiful, I like it.”