Former Arsenal legend Tony Adams has made a bold and shocking call. He wants Mikel Arteta to take the captain’s armband away from Martin Odegaard, and give it to Declan Rice.
Odegaard has been Arsenal captain for three years. The Norwegian playmaker was given the role before the 2022/23 season, becoming the first full-time skipper after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang lost the captaincy. Since then, Arsenal have been strong, even coming close to winning the Premier League twice.
But for Tony Adams, “close” is not good enough. Speaking on the Indo Sport podcast, the former captain said it’s time for a change in leadership.
“He’s got a really big call to make this year,” Adams said. “The call is to make Declan Rice the captain. I think Declan is my kind of captain, and it might free Odegaard up to play with a bit more freedom.”
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Adams believes a captain should reflect the manager’s personality and the values of the club. In his eyes, Rice is the perfect match for Arteta’s vision.
“Every now and again as a manager, you have to put someone who reflects you,” Adams explained. “Someone who can take you to the next level.”
According to Adams, appointing Rice could be the key to finally breaking Arsenal’s 20-year wait for a Premier League title.
“You’ve got an opportunity this year to turn into a winner,” he urged Arteta. “To win league titles, you have to be a Klopp or a Ferguson. You have to lead by example.”
For Adams, Declan Rice has all the qualities of a title-winning leader, consistency, influence, and the ability to inspire teammates.
“Declan Rice can do that,” Adams said. “Odegaard can’t. Come on Arteta, make him captain.”
Despite these strong opinions, Mikel Arteta has so far kept Odegaard as his captain. The Spaniard has shown he’s willing to make big changes in other areas of the squad, but not this one.
This summer, Arsenal have spent nearly £200 million on new players. Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres, and Noni Madueke are some of the biggest signings. Arteta clearly wants to strengthen the team in every department.
Arsenal’s Premier League campaign begins with a massive match against Manchester United at Old Trafford this Sunday. Fans are eager to see how the team’s new signings perform, and whether the leadership question will affect the dressing room.
Adams’ comments have already sparked debates among supporters. Some agree that Rice has the mentality and presence to be captain. Others believe Odegaard has been an excellent leader and should keep the role.
There’s no doubt that Rice has settled in well at Arsenal since arriving from West Ham. His performances have been solid, and his leadership qualities were evident even before he joined the Gunners.
On the other hand, Odegaard is respected for his calmness, vision, and technical skill. He has also been instrumental in Arsenal’s recent success.
The big question is whether changing captains now would boost the team’s chances, or risk unsettling them.
Adams clearly believes the risk is worth taking. His own career as Arsenal captain saw him win league titles, so his opinion carries weight.
But Arteta has his own style and has shown loyalty to his chosen leaders. The decision will ultimately rest with him.
For now, all eyes will be on Old Trafford this weekend. A good start to the season could silence the captaincy debate, at least for a while.
If results don’t go Arsenal’s way, expect the calls for Rice to wear the armband to grow louder.
