'Come to the party!' - Former Arsenal hero challenges 'world class' Martin Odegaard to reach Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice's level in blockbuster Champions League semi-final against PSG

Former Arsenal defender Gallas has claimed Odegaard needs a big performance against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, urging him to rise to the levels shown by Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka in previous rounds of the Gunners' successful European campaign so far this season.

While he remains a key player for Mikel Arteta, the Norway international has had a quieter year when it comes to goal contributions and hasn't been helped by the array of injuries suffered by Arsenal's attacking players in 2024-25. He has contributed five goals and nine assists in all competitions and missed just under two months earlier in the campaign due to an ankle problem.

Speaking to Prime Casino, Gallas said: "It's not just him on Tuesday - it has to be other players. Declan Rice produced a world-class performance against Real Madrid, and if he can't repeat it, another player has to take the responsibility and step up with a match-winning performance.

"Odegaard, can he do this? At the moment, he looks like he can't go to that level at the moment. The level Declan Rice reached, and Saka - he had a great performance, in the first game, the second game against Madrid. I want to see Odegaard come to the party. He's been quiet this season, but we know that he has the potential to be a match-winner, a world-class player.

"On Tuesday, it will be very interesting to see what is going to happen between Saka and Nuno Mendes, because he can play top-level stuff too. It's going to be a good challenge for Saka."

It was Rice's exquisite performance at the Emirates Stadium that set Arsenal up to progress past Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, netting two brilliant free-kicks alongside Mikel Merino's effort before they finished the job with a 2-1 success at the Bernabeu.

Arsenal's slim Premier League title hopes were ended at the weekend as Liverpool thrashed Tottenham Hotspur, so all eyes are now firmly on the Champions League. Should they progress past French champions PSG over two legs, they'll take on the winner of the other semi-final between Barcelona and Inter in the final at the Allianz Arena on 31 May.