Arsenal manager Mikel Artta defended Captain Martin Odegaard after the club legend Tony Adams suggested that Declan Rice should take over the bracelet.
Adams, former shooters’ captain and one of the most famous characters in the history of the club, believes Rice’s performance last season He made him a natural leader for the party. The English midfielder played a key role in the Arsenal Champions League and the knockout stages recorded two stunning free kicks against Real Madrid to help remove the 14 -fold winner.
Adams when he talked to the Irish independent before the new season Odegaard can bear the burden of captainY, affecting his game in this process.
“He has a really big call this year and he didn’t do it for me – the call is for Declan Rice with a captain,” Adams said. “Declan is my captain and what could do is to release Martin Odegaard to play with more freedom. Sometimes as a manager, you have to give someone who reflects you and the football club and who think it can move you to the next level.”
However, Artta quickly confirmed her faith in Odegaard and revealed that the captain’s decision was made collectively, with stunning team support.
“It’s not just my opinion,” Arta said before Sunday’s Opener Premier League against Manchester United. “It’s all employees and especially players. I asked them to vote on the captain and I got the results yesterday – about a mile, 100 miles, all chose the same person, which is Martin Odegaard. This is the brightest sign you may have.”
Artta added: “It is how she feels about who should be their captain, defend, improve and win matches we want to win. There is no doubt.”
“One day there will be gold”
After three consecutive periods of completion of runners, Artita is still convinced that Arsenal’s moment will come. The club has not lifted the Premier League trophy since 2003–2004, but the Spaniard insists that faith remains strong.
“You are still digging, digging, digging,” he said. “For three seasons, we had more points in this league than any other team, which is incredible. Now we have to do it in the season to get one more point than the others – that’s our goal.”
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Published:
Amar Pancker
Published on:
August 15, 2025
