Calls for Odegaard to Lose Captaincy Grown
Former Arsenal captain Tony Adams has recently suggested that Martin Odegaard should be relieved of his captaincy, a sentiment echoed by another Arsenal legend, Anders Limpar. Adams believes that manager Mikel Arteta should consider swapping Odegaard with Declan Rice if he wants to secure a Premier League title.
Odegaard took on the captaincy role prior to the 2022/23 season and has since led the team to three consecutive second-place finishes without any major trophies. He has defended his position, expressing that the captaincy is a “shared” responsibility.
Limpar, who won a league title with Arsenal in 1991, praised Odegaard as an “incredible” player but still backed Adams’ opinion regarding the captaincy discussion. He acknowledged Adams as one of the best captains in football history.
Expressing his support for Adams, Limpar stated, “If Tony Adams believes Declan Rice should be captain, I stand by that. Odegaard is an excellent player, but if Tony wants another leader, that’s his perspective.”
Limpar mentioned that while he holds Odegaard in high regard, the true measure of a captain encompasses more than skill. He emphasized that true leadership qualities must be shown both on and off the pitch.
Adams, reflecting on Arteta’s leadership decisions, claimed that to win league titles, Arteta needs a captain who leads and encourages others. He voiced a clear belief that Declan Rice fits this description more naturally than Odegaard.
As Arsenal aims for a successful season, they have started strong with recent victories, although Odegaard’s recent shoulder injury raised questions about his availability for upcoming matches. Regardless, the debate over the captaincy continues to draw attention as the team prepares for future challenges.
