Odegaard and Palmer agree: van Dijk is the toughest rival
- Both Martin Odegaard and Cole Palmer have faced Virgil van Dijk multiple times in their careers.
- Both players consider Virgil van Dijk their toughest opponent in football.
- This agreement highlights the dominance Van Dijk has established in his position as a top defender.
In a recent interview, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and Chelsea star Cole Palmer discussed who they consider their toughest opponent. Both players identified Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk as their most challenging rival. Odegaard, who has played against Van Dijk on six occasions since joining Arsenal in 2021, praised the defender's skill, while Palmer noted that he faced Van Dijk three times after moving to Chelsea from Manchester City, losing all three matches. Van Dijk's reputation has grown significantly since joining Liverpool in 2018, establishing him as one of the best defenders in football today. The discussions took place before Arsenal's Champions League match against Sporting Lisbon, highlighting the competitiveness in football and the personal challenges faced by top athletes.