EPL: Arteta told to replace Odegaard with Rice as Arsenal captain

Tony Adams, former Arsenal star, has urged head coach Mikel Arteta to appoint midfielder Declan Rice as the club’s new captain this season.

Martin Odegaard, who is Arsenal’s current captain, was appointed in 2022.

Arteta made the decision to give the Norwegian the captain’s armband following the departure of Alexandre Lacazette from the Premier League North London club.

Odegaard helped the Gunners to a Community Shield triumph in 2023 and also led them to finish in second place in the past three Premier League seasons.

However, Adams believes Odegaard will have more freedom this season if Arteta appoints Rice as the new captain of Arsenal.

“He [Arteta] has got a really big call to make this year,” Adams said (via Tribal Football).

“The call is to make Declan Rice the captain. I think Declan is my kind of captain, and it might free Odegaard up to play with a bit more freedom.”

EPL: Arteta told to replace Odegaard with Rice as Arsenal captain