Ally McCoist couldn’t contain himself as he praised Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard’s ‘absolutely incredible’ assist for Leandro Trossard’s opening goal against Porto.
Trossard provided the decisive finishing touch to level the aggregate score in the second leg with a powerful finish across goal, but it was Odegaard’s build-up play that impressed McCoist most.
The legendary Scotland star praised the Gunners skipper’s constructive play and described the midfielder as a ‘genius’ for his involvement.
Commenting on TNT Sports, McCoist beamed: “Odegaard, that is absolutely incredible. The touch and finish are beautiful.
‘Absolutely genius, look at this touch here. Back to the side, the weight of that pass, he takes the other side of Pepe and plays him inside the full-back, taking nothing away from the goalscorer.
Ally McCoist couldn’t contain himself as he praised Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard’s ‘absolutely incredible’ assist against Porto
Leandro Trossard scored the opening goal of the match as Arsenal drew level
“Bang, boom, that’s beautiful, unbelievable. He knocks Joao Mario off balance, completely off balance and Trossard does the rest.
“What a touch, what a finish, what a goal,” he added.
The goal saw Odegaard display a display of superb skill, initially pulling the ball behind his supporting leg before shifting his weight to create space.
The 25-year-old then whipped a precise pass through Porto’s deep-lying defense, which Trossard ran onto and slotted past the goalkeeper.
Former Man United defender Rio Ferdinand similarly raved about Odegaard’s chance creation as he praised the Arsenal star’s ‘vision’.
At half-time, Ferdinand said happily: “Fantastically executed goal, I think it’s the only time we’ve seen Odegaard face up on the edge of Porto’s penalty area.
McCoist praised Arsenal captain Odegaard for his assist to unlock Porto’s defence
Odegaard displayed pinpoint accuracy and skill as he unleashed Porto’s deep defense
“Wow, wasn’t it amazing when he got there, the clarity, his vision. He moves it back to his left foot. That is a trigger for Odegaard to continue. He gets it through the eye of a needle.
‘It’s a beautiful finish in the end, but the movement is what I like. Odegaard’s movement and timing, listen, this is the seventh assist this season, imagine last season.
“Look at that short time you can’t give a locksmith to a guy like that, with the keys there and the time to open you up, because he’ll do it. It is a beautiful pass.
“Look at that inch of perfection and a great finish,” he added.