Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has revealed that Martin Odegaard will remain the club’s captain in the 2025-26 Premier League season ahead of their clash against Manchester United
The Gunners will take on Manchester United in their opening game of the season on Sunday at Old Trafford.
The Spanish manager said Odegaard has been chosen by the players, and team staff to continue as the captain despite criticisms from the club legend Tony Adams.
Adams called for Declan Rice to be appointed as the team’s captain to boost their chances of winning the Premier League title.
However, Arteta confirmed that Odegaard was the unanimous choice after he held a vote on the captaincy.
He said: “Well my opinion is clear and it’s not just my opinion, it’s all the staff and especially the players.
“I asked them to vote for the captain and I got the result yesterday. And by a mile, by a big, big 100 miles, everybody choosing the same person, which is Martin Odegaard, and which is the most clear sign that you can have.
“It’s how they feel about who has to be their captain to defend, improve and win the matches that we want to win. So I think there’s no question about that.”
Odegaard has been the captain since 2022, he has been unable to lead the club to any silverware since his appointment.
Arteta is confident that Viktor Gyokeres will make a difference for Arsenal in the 2025-26 season.
He said: “First of all, understanding the player and exposing the player to the conditions that he can fulfil his incredible potential.
“That’s going to be the key and the good thing is that there have been many players, many strikers, they have come from different leagues, they have come to the Premier League and been successful.
“And it’s for us creating the right context for Viktor to do what he does the best, which is to score goals.”
Arsenal have had a busy summer with the acquisition of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera – Valencia, Christian Norgaard, and Martin Zubimendi.
