MICAH’S MOMENTS: Landing Martin Odegaard was a masterstroke by Arsenal

It’s strange to feel sympathy for someone after watching them scam you on Sunday, but that was my first feeling for Martin Odegaard.

If it weren’t for Erling Haaland, the Arsenal captain would be a contender for Player of the Year.

He reminds me of David Silva in so many ways, with his quiet authority and leadership. You wouldn’t know David was in a room at times, but on the pitch he made you follow him through his brilliance and that’s what Odegaard does – 15 goals from midfield (and not one penalty) is simply exceptional.

There was a time when to be a captain you had to have the loudest voice and the biggest personality, but that’s all changed. Steven Gerrard in England screamed and didn’t scream, but you watched him closely and couldn’t help but be inspired.

Arsenal’s case of getting Odegaard on loan, rebuilding his confidence and then buying him outright was a masterpiece. He’s going to get even better.

Big Sam’s confidence isn’t a crime

Lots of giggles and criticism for Sam Allardyce after his comments comparing himself to Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. What do we want? Managers who say a lot of meaningless words or an individual who actually has something to say?

Have you thought about it in a different way and considered that Allardyce could have actually tried to set a positive tone for a team that lacked confidence?

Maybe he was trying to draw attention to him instead of the players? They lost at City, but left the pitch in a positive mood.

I wouldn’t say I know him well, but I’ve met Allardyce a few times and he’s a nice guy with a lot of faith. He’ll back himself to get enough out of the Leeds players to save them – what’s the crime in that?

Sam Allardyce’s confidence isn’t a crime – he’s a nice chap and will support himself to pull Leeds out of the mire

Salah cannot dwell on his latest feat of arms

In the locker rooms of the top teams there is never any kind of reflection or pause to take stock of what individuals are achieving. The focus is always on the future.

So Mohamed Salah’s latest achievement – 100 Anfield goals, 186 in total for Liverpool – will not have stood still for long.

The Liverpool players will be focused on finishing in the top four. However, the rest of us can marvel at him.

I explained here two weeks ago what made Mo special. I need to update things: he actually surprises me now. What a phenomenal player.

Mohamed Salah cannot dwell on his latest record-breaking performance

After the World Cup final I wondered if Messi would stop

As I watched the saga unfold with Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain, I was reminded of a thought I had after the World Cup final.

After watching Messi inspire Argentina in arguably the best football game I’ve ever seen, I wondered if he would ever consider retiring.

What could possibly top that experience for him? Nothing. But if rumors are to be believed, a move to Saudi Arabia or even back to Barcelona is in the offing.

It’s a real shame to see him now serving a suspension at a club where he never seemed completely happy.

The apparent exhaustion of Lionel Messi’s top-level European club career is a real shame

Haaland will not concede another penalty kick

Speaking of Messi, a note to Erling Haaland: Don’t give up another penalty. It was a humble gesture and said a lot for his character that he let Ilkay Gundogan go for his hat-trick, but he won’t do it again.

Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ended up with goals as phone numbers taking every free kick and penalty kick. Remember that.

Erling Haaland’s gesture was kind and a sign of his personality – but he won’t do it again

Toney’s improvement has caused a huge sensation

One thing I’ve always loved is how a player improves from one season to the next. Ivan Toney’s progress has given me a huge kick. Twenty league goals for Brentford?

Wow. I don’t know why, but nobody talks about him as much as they should. Toney was fantastic at Liverpool, his sense and awareness were excellent. I would like to see him in the PFA Team of the Year.