Gary Neville says Guardiola would sign one Arsenal player 'in a heartbeat’

If Pep Guardiola could sign one Arsenal player for Manchester City, Gary Neville is convinced he knows who it would be.

Gary Neville reckons Martin Odegaard would be the prize Pep Guardiola would want if the Manchester City manager could sign an Arsenal player.

Odegaard gave another solid display in the Arsenal midfield in Sunday’s 1-0 win at Everton. The captain didn’t get on the scoresheet, but still impressed. He grew into the match as it wore on, forcing Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford into a fine save in the game’s second half.

With Odegaard’s contract up in 2025, Mikel Arteta wants him to commit to a new deal. Neville understands why the Arsenal manager is so eager. He even pointed out that if Guardiola could recruit one player from his title rivals, Odegaard would be his first choice.

“I think he now starts to be mentioned in the realms,” Neville said on Sky Sports of Odegaard.

“Pep Guardiola, if you said could take one Arsenal player out of this Arsenal team I think he’d take him in an absolute heartbeat.

“He would break into that Manchester City team because he’s a beautiful player to watch. Every time I watch him, he gets better and better.”

Is Odegaard on par with De Bruyne & Silva?

Furthermore, Neville boldly compared Odegaard to the likes of Manchester City icon David Silva and current star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.

For Neville, these are the two players that have stood out for their quality in the “seven or eight years”. He doesn’t think Odegaard is on par with them yet, but finds the Norwegian’s smooth and silky playing style a joy to watch.

“I’m not saying he’s as good as De Bruyne or Silva yet,” the ex-Manchester United added.

“I think he’s got a bit to go in his career, but he’s getting to a point whereby now when I watch him play it is so smooth, it’s so silky.”

Odegaard is now preparing to make his Champions League debut with Arsenal on Wednesday. The Gunners will play PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates for their Group B opener.