Mikel Arteta hints Martin Odegaard could be the next Arsenal captain
Mikel Arteta hints that ‘humble’ Martin Odegaard could be Arsenal’s next PERMANENT captain as he says ‘everybody loves him’ after £30m summer signing kept up impressive season in Brentford victory
- Mikel Arteta has hinted that Martin Odegaard could be the next Arsenal captain
- Spaniard is yet to appoint a successor to Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng’s role
- Odegaard has five goals and five assists in his 35 Premier League appearances
- Arteta praised the Norwegian who ‘is getting better and better’ for the Gunners
Mikel Arteta has hinted that Martin Odegaard could be the next permanent Arsenal captain after hailing the determination of the Norway international.
Since completing his permanent move to the Emirates last summer, Odegaard has become an increasingly important player for the Gunners as they aim to end a five-year Champions League exile.
The 23-year-old impressed once again as Arsenal beat Brentford 2-1 on Saturday afternoon to keep pace with the Premier League top-four race.
Mikel Arteta has hinted that Martin Odegaard could become the next Arsenal captain
Odegaard has five goals and five assists in 35 league appearances since joining the Gunners
Having spent the second half of last season on loan at the Emirates Stadium, Odegaard joined on a permanent deal from Real Madrid in the summer and has since scored four goals and provided the same number of assists.
Arteta explained: ‘We had a period with him where we could evaluate what Martin could bring to the club.
‘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 Norwegian midfielder has quickly become one of the fan favourites in North London
‘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.’
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving in January, Arteta is yet to appoint a permanent successor as Arsenal skipper.
Alexandre Lacazette is currently sporting the armband but Odegaard is the captain of his country and Arteta revealed he has spoken to Norway boss Stale Solbakken about his credentials.
Arsenal are yet to appoint a replacement captain after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s sale
‘He certainly has all the qualities to do that, absolutely,’ Arteta replied when asked if he saw Odegaard as a potential captain.
‘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.
Odegaard was described by Arteta as ‘such a nice, humble guy and leads with the way he is’
‘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.’
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