Ray Parlor has compared Arsenal star Martin Odegaard to one of his former team-mates and urged Mikel Arteta to give the playmaker a start against Chelsea even if he is “only 80 per cent fit” .

Odegaard returned late in Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Inter on Wednesday, a match similar to many of the 12 matches the Norway international has missed since his injury while playing for his national team in September, in that It was difficult for them to create clear chances.

Arteta has not revealed whether Odegaard will start against Chelsea but Parlor believes he should be in the starting XI and a defeat could leave them ten points behind league leaders Liverpool, who play Aston Villa on Saturday the night.

“He has vision and creativity,” said Parlor about Arsenal’s importance in talkSPORT.

“If you look at the midfield area, you have (Thomas) Partey, Declan Rice when he plays, (Mikel) Merino also comes into the side, very similar players, actually.

“All very good players, don’t get me wrong. I’d like to see Declan advance a bit more when Partey plays.

“But if Odegaard is there, he is that player who takes the ball in difficult situations. He sees a pass, creates chances.

“When I watched the Newcastle game, they needed a bit of creativity because Newcastle were very comfortable sitting in front of the defence. By the way, Newcastle’s midfield had done a great job.

“He can simply contribute something more to the team, a little different from the other players they have. It’s a big mistake, but I don’t know if he’s fit or if he’s recovered. “If he’s at 80 percent, I would play him for 70 minutes, I would.”

Parlor acknowledges that while Odegaard is not at the same level as Bergkamp, ​​with whom he shared a dressing room at Arsenal for nine years, he does see similarities in style.

And he added: “I look at Bergkamp when he played. I wouldn’t say he (Odegaard) is as good as Bergkamp, ​​but he is very similar in the way he can see the vision and create opportunities.

“What I’m saying is that he can reach small areas, he is a very intelligent player. You watch his vision when he hits balls. He knows where the runs will come from.

“Against Newcastle I didn’t see that. I didn’t see the creativity in Arsenal’s midfield. “That’s what he can bring to the team if he returns at the weekend.”

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Paul Merson agreed with Parlor about Odegaard and urged Arteta to “take a risk” on the midfielder.

Asked if Odegaard should start at Stamford Bridge, Merson replied: “I think it comes down to this weekend and the results.

“Arsenal play second on Super Sunday, so they will know how Liverpool and City have done. If they both won, I think Odegaard has to start the match.

“Nineteen points, if both teams win, that’s a lot of points and, for me, it would be a football game that you have to win and you have to take risks (on Odegaard).

“Otherwise, what do you do? Do you bring him in for the last 20 or 30 minutes and then play Norway a couple of games in seven or eight days? Unless he doesn’t leave with Norway and then maybe you’ll save him.

“But if not, I think we have to return it. It’s very important for Arsenal.”