Garth Crooks has picked Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard as his player of the year while selecting his team of the season.
The Gunners finished the Premier League campaign as runners-up behind Manchester City, with two points separating them from the title winners.
Odegaard and his teammates were brilliant individually and collectively this term, but they fell short again having finished five points behind the newly-crowned champions last term.
The 25-year-old ended the league campaign with eight goals and ten assists in 35 appearances after weighing in with 15 goals and seven assists last season, and Crooks was impressed with his performances.
“Normally my player of the season goes to the best player of whichever team wins the Premier League title,” the BBC pundit wrote in his weekly column.
“However, this year I am prepared to make an exception for an exceptional player.
“Martin Odegaard is more than just a professional footballer – he’s a throwback to what captains of big clubs used to be like.
“(He is an) outstanding player, a great leader and respected by his teammates. Odegaard is all of those things.
“He has little time for the spotlight and is only interested in getting the job done. The game needs more like him.”
The Arsenal captain weighed in with both assists yesterday as his side came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Everton at Emirates Stadium in their final game of the season.
However, Man City’s 3-1 win over West Ham United ensured they successfully defended their title for the fourth season running.
Odegaard and his teammates will be desperate to bounce back next term, and their failure to win the title in back-to-back seasons should fuel their motivation.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will also look to add quality players capable of improving his side. The club needs to get their decisions spot on when the summer transfer window opens.
