Danny Murphy has impressed Premier League leaders Arsenal (Image: BBC)

Convinced Arsenal are going nowhere in the Premier League title race, Danny Murphy has called the only “irreplaceable” player in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

The Gunners are seven points ahead of holders Manchester City in 2023 after beating Brighton on New Year’s Eve.

Earlier in the day, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City lost two valuable points at home to Everton after Demarai Gray reversed Erling Haaland’s opening goal.

Arsenal discovered Manchester City’s setback ahead of their visit to Brighton and responded with an impressive performance by beating the Seagulls 4-2.

Murphy felt Arsenal’s performance was further proof that the Gunners are the right choice as they go after the league title for the first time since 2004.

The former England midfielder was particularly impressed by Martin Odegaard’s performance, saying the Norwegian star was the “only player” Arsenal would struggle to replace.

“I think Odegaard is the one player they have a hard time replacing,” Murphy said on BBC’s Match of the Day. “They have other talented players but for me they would struggle to replace him.

Martin Odegaard featured in Arsenal’s win over Brighton (Picture: Getty)

“If you look at Arsenal as a whole, they’re there. I thought they would leave, but they don’t.”

Odegaard produced another impressive display in the win over Brighton, scoring Arsenal’s second goal and providing another assist.

Asked about Odegaard’s performance, Arsenal manager Arteta said: “He does what we want him to do: decide football games and work really hard and deliver what the team needs in those moments, which is different.”

“The four leading players scored again today; That’s great news. Eddie scores again, Bukayo, Martinelli and at key moments too.

“That’s what we want, those players who decide football games when the team needs it and they do.”

Commenting on Arsenal’s seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League, Arteta added: “I don’t know, it’s a long, long road.

My excitement comes when I enter the locker room and the players talk about what they should have done better today.

“It means they know we can still play better, get better and against Newcastle we have to be better.”

Arsenal will continue their Premier League season on Tuesday night against Newcastle United, who are currently third.