Arteta hints Odegaard could be club’s next captain after talks with Norway boss

ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta has hinted Martin Odegaard could be the club’s next permanent skipper following talks with Norway manager Stale Solbakken.

The 23-year-old, who is the skipper of his national team, starred in the Gunners’ 2-1 win against Brentford at the Emirates on Saturday.

Fans were left fawning over his performance, with supporters left in awe after he bamboozled Rico Henry with an outrageous piece of skill.

Odegaard has been a huge hit with the Arsenal faithful since joining on loan from Real Madrid in January 2020, before he signed on a deal rising to £34million last summer.

And the playmaker, who has chipped in with four goals and as many assists in 25 games in all competitions this term, is an option to become the next skipper.

Alexandre Lacazette is currently Arsenal’s captain, but with his contract to expire in the summer, Arteta is already considering who will take over from him.

The Spanish gaffer has revealed following the win over the Bees that he has spoken to Solbakken about his leadership credentials.

Asked whether he views Odegaard as a captain, Arteta said: “He certainly has all the qualities to do that, absolutely.

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“Talking to his national team coach and how highly they speak of him. He walks through the corridor and everybody loves him.

“He is such a nice, humble guy and he leads with the way he is. It is very natural for him and that will come.

“He generated expectations when he was 16 as well. Everybody wanted him. And then he had to fulfil that in a club like Madrid where the competition is like it is.

“It is extremely difficult but now he has found his place. He is really happy here, he has the environment.

“He has the people, he has the time on the pitch to enjoy it and I think that is what he is doing.”

Commenting on his signing, Arteta added: “We had no doubts. The club was brilliant to secure him in a really convincing way.

“Martin was really happy to join us because he had a really good time, he felt valued, he enjoyed what we are doing, he got a really good connection with the players and the supporters.

“He wanted to be part of the project. Since then he is getting better and better, and I am not surprised.

“The way he lives his profession, the way he likes to play football and everything he does is to become better.

“He has still a big margin. He wants it probably more than anyone else on that pitch, every single day. He will be top, top.”

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