Mikel Arteta believes that captain Martin Odegaard owns “hundreds of” qualities and deserves Arsenal at Old Trafford this weekend. But the viewpoint of legendary Tony Adam is different.
“Odegaard owns hundreds of qualities,” the coach said in the press conference before the match. “The most important thing is that when he was elected captain, he didn't need to shout. It was a great quality. Odegaard didn't need to say anything but everyone trusted him.”
Arteta said the players and BHL voted to choose the captain and the results were very clear. “With a huge number, with 100 points, everyone chose a person – it is Odegaard. The players have chosen the person who leads them, who will motivate them, support them when everything happens. Basically, it is the representative of the club and the team when we play and face any challenge.”
However, the legendary Arsenal captain Tony Adams urged coach Arteta to deprive Martin Odegaard's captain's armband if they want to win the Premier League. Arsenal has played a “bridesmaid role” in the championship race in the last 3 seasons, including 2 defeats against Man City, and the latest before Liverpool.
Odegaard was awarded the captain's armband before the 2022/23 season, after the departure of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. However, he has not brought any title for Emirates.
Adams, the illustrious leader who led Arsenal to four Premier League championships in his dazzling career, named the person he believed that he would take the North London team far away in the championship race. It was English players, Declan Rice.
Tony Adam urged Arteta to replace Odegaard with Rice. “The head coach has a very important decision to make right now, but I still can't do it,” Adams said. βIt was the decision to choose Rice as captain.
Rice is the type of captain I like, and that can liberate Odegaard to play a little more freely. Sometimes, as a coach, he must choose a person who reflects himself, reflecting the club that he thinks can really take him to a new level. β
When asked if Rice was good, Adams replied: “I think he is better than Arteta.” Adams was then asked if Rice would be the one who would bring the title. The former Arsenal defender responded skillfully.
βI just said that this year he has a real chance to win the Premier League. To be crowned in this tournament, you must be a Jurgen Klopp, or a Sir Alex Ferguson. You must set an example for the whole team, must be the winner, to do well your job. And that is reflected in the captain of the team.
I think Rice is the captain who has the same quality, but I tell Arteta: Come on, step up. It is time for him to become a championship but he will not be able to win the Premier League if he still let Odegaard be the captain. β
Adams believes that Rice's durability and leadership is what Arsenal needs to finally touch the championship after nearly winning the championship in the last two seasons. “They have a captain who will play all the matches during the season, who will encourage people to come and place the foundation for a championship team. Declan Rice can do that, Odegaard does not”, he asserted