Mikel Arteta gives a huge hint about next Arsenal captain

Martin Odegaard’s leadership qualities have been commended by Mikel Arteta, fueling speculation that the attacking midfielder may be named Arsenal’s new club captain.

Since the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona in January, the Gunners have been without a formal captain, with Alexandre Lacazette acting as de facto leader.

The Frenchman’s ascension was never going to be permanent, and with the striker’s contract expiring at the end of the season, a decision on who will wear the armband full-time will be made in the summer.

For the past six years, Arsenal has failed to identify a consistent and popular leader in the dressing room, with six different players chosen club captain.

However, it appears like Arteta has found his new captain in Odegaard, who can lead the young and lively Arsenal side into a new era.

‘Time will tell,’ the Spanish manager said to an International TV channel in Norway, confirming that the 23-year-old was in competition for the captaincy.

‘He’s making progress in the correct direction. The most crucial thing is that his teammates respect and admire him. He embodies everything we aspire to achieve in this club. He is a viable option.’

Odegaard, who also serves as the captain of the Norwegian national team, joined Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid in January 2021 before signing a permanent deal for £31.5 million last summer.

While his time in North London has been limited, he has already demonstrated his quality on the field, and Arteta emphasized how much he has grown since leaving Madrid, as well as the great impact he has had on his teammates.

‘His leadership qualities are distinct from how many people define leadership,’ he continued.

“We’d work with him to develop and get the most out of his unique qualities. He needs the ideal setting and a sense of importance, both of which he had struggled to achieve in recent years”.

‘He is a brilliant individual.’ Everything is picked up by him. He pinpoints all of the issues we face on the field, as well as opportunities. He interacts effectively with his teammates, and they listen to him, which I believe is necessary for things to run well on the field.’

While Odegaard is now the favorite to be elected Arsenal captain, he is up in a friendly competition against goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, as well as defenders Kierney, Ben White, and Gabriel Magalhaes.