'My opinion': Mikel Arteta sends message to Tony Adams after Martin Odegaard comments
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has responded to Tony Adams’ recommendation to drop Martin Odegaard from the captaincy.
The Gunners start their Premier League campaign against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
In the lead-up to the game, Adams said that the Gunners are unlikely to win the league with Odegaard being the captain.
The 58-year-old added that midfielder Declan Rice is a leader and should be handed the armband instead.
When pressed on those comments, Arteta said that he has a clear opinion and that is of the staff and the players.
The Spaniard added that there was a vote within the club where almost everyone chose Odegaard as their captain.
He said: “Well my opinion is clear, its of the staff and the players, I had a vote about the captain, and by a mile, everyone choose the same captain and the result was Martin Odegaard.”
Odegaard had a difficult 2024/25 campaign with the Gunners after suffering an ankle injury during the first half of the season.
The Norwegian star struggled to find his best form until the final weeks, and will be keen to redeem himself this term.
The 26-year-old is undoubtedly one of the club’s most creative players and has also set an example with his leadership.
Odegaard’s work rate and high pressing has been lauded by the fans, and he now needs to add more goal contributions.
He is fully fit ahead of the 2025/26 season and should benefit from having Viktor Gyokeres leading the line for the club.
The Swede is one of the best strikers in world football, and his arrival brings a fresh dimension to the Gunners’ attack.
There has been an over-reliance on Bukayo Saka on the right wing to provide a regular scoring outlet.
We should see more direct long balls behind the defence from Odegaard, now that Gyokeres has joined the club’s ranks.
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