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Martin Odegaard believes his \u201camazing\u201d midfield partner Declan Rice is already proving his worth after Arsenal eased into the Champions League knockout stages.<\/p>\n
England international Rice, a \u00a3105million summer signing from West Ham, was among a host of standout performers as the Gunners secured top spot in Group B with a 6-0 demolition of French club Lens.<\/p>\n
Arsenal captain Odegaard has been impressed with the instant impact and consistency of his 24-year-old team-mate, who has been ever-present in the Premier League and Europe this term.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s brilliant \u2013 I think he\u2019s been amazing since he came here,\u201d the Norway international said of Rice.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery game he\u2019s showing his qualities. He\u2019s a great player, a great guy, so a great addition to the squad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rice was afforded a rest for the final 15 minutes on Wednesday evening as in-form Arsenal won their pool with a fixture to spare, four days after going top of the Premier League.<\/p>\n
Odegaard volleyed home the last of the rampant hosts\u2019 five first-half goals against last season\u2019s Ligue 1 runners-up before Rice\u2019s replacement Jorginho converted a late penalty to complete the rout.<\/p>\n
The former Real Madrid playmaker says the Gunners are constantly striving to produce statement performances.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery time we play we want to send a message,\u201d said Odegaard.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, we want to win every time we play and we want to put on performances like this.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way we started the game was brilliant. We had complete control of the game with the ball. We played with a really high rhythm and intensity and we were effective in front of goal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe last few games we\u2019ve been really good defensively and we wanted to show even more on the ball and to get some more goals as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did that and we knew what we were playing for and we saw the motivation and the hunger out there.\u201d<\/p>\n