Martin Odegaard told Arsenal team-mate could replace him as captain next season
Arsenal continue to lead the Premier League as they seek a top-flight title, but Mikel Arteta has learned they could have a new skipper next season.
Declan Rice will be named Arsenal captain next year, believes Joleon Lescott. The England midfielder has become a vital cog for the title-chasing Gunners.
Since his £105 million move from West Ham in the summer of 2023, the 26-year-old has established himself as one of the first names on Mikel Arteta’s team sheet. He has started all but one of his team’s league matches this campaign.
Rice’s side are led by Martin Odegaard, who was named Arsenal captain in 2022 and has retained the armband ever since. The players voted overwhelmingly this year to keep him as club captain.
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However, former Manchester City and Everton defender Lescott believes Rice, who is a member of the five-strong management team at the Emirates, could take over from the Norwegian as early as next season.
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“He (Rice) is the most complete midfielder in the world,” said Lescott, speaking on In The Mixer presented by Sky Bet. “I think he will be the next Arsenal captain.
“I think he could even be captain next season. Because I don’t think Odegaard is guaranteed to start when (Eberechi) Eze is performing at a level like he is now.
“So I think it’s going to come to a point… Declan is going to play every week. It depends on him as a player but there’s no replacement version of him either.
“He’s probably the only player Arsenal haven’t bought a replacement for. So I don’t think you can rest him. Maybe only in the FA Cup matches!”
Vice-captain Bukayo Saka receives the armband when Odegaard fails to start. However, Lescott does not believe he possesses the characteristics of a skipper and has also suffered from injuries like Odegaard.
“He (Saka) is not a captain,” added Lescott. “Again, he misses the games. But with Declan just being available, he’s like, ‘I’m going to be there.’ I would say that would justify him being captain. »
There have been calls for Rice to captain the Gunners, but when he was asked such a question in May, he was quick to explain why Odegaard is the ideal skipper.
“He (Odegaard) is our leader. He is our captain,” admitted Rice. “He trains every day, he plays every minute of every game. He’s one of the best guys I’ve seen off the field in terms of how he lives his life.
“He has all the respect in the dressing room, the way he demands, the way he leads the team, the way he talks. You wouldn’t see him as that kind of character, but he’s definitely behind the scenes. He’s been incredible for us and I wouldn’t want anyone else to be our captain. I think the guys feel the same way about that too.”
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