Tony Adams: Arteta must make 26yo the new Arsenal captain to win the Premier League title
Tony Adams insists Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta must make Declan Rice the new captain of the Gunners if they are serious about winning the Premier League title anytime soon.
Norway international midfielder Martin Odegaard is currently the skipper of the North London club after he was given the armband in July 2022 when it was taken off Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Arsenal are looking to go one better in the title race in 2025-26 after finishing second in each of the last three seasons, and Adams believes they cannot win it with the former Real Madrid midfielder as their captain.
“I think he’s got a really big call to make this year, and for me, he hasn’t done it. And the call is to make Declan Rice the captain,” the former Arsenal skipper told the Irish Independent.
“I think Declan is my kind of captain, and what it might do, it might free Odegaard up to play with a bit more freedom.
“I think he’s an Arsenal kind of leader. I think he is. He’s good in the dressing room, around the training camp. He’s got standards, he’s got principles, he’s got, you know… I can see the man that’s… He’s a proper player and a proper captain. You are not going to win the league with Odegaard as captain.”
Odegaard has been a brilliant captain and replacing him with Rice may not be necessary as the 26-year-old England international does not need the armband to lead.
He is one of the leaders at the club and his influence on and off the pitch has been clear for all to see.
The Gunners have done enough this summer to win the title following the additions of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard to their squad.
Arteta is still hoping to complete one or two more deals before the transfer deadline, with Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze believed to be on the radar of the club.
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