Imagine an Arsenal captain lifting a major trophy. Who comes to mind? For many, it`s legends like Patrick Vieira, Tony Adams, or Frank McLintock – figures embodying the classic English football captain: self-sacrificing, rule-bending, covering every inch of the pitch. In today`s game, where technical skills often outweigh intangible leadership qualities, such players seem rare. Yet, Arsenal possesses a leader in Declan Rice, who, much like Adams, has risen from the academy to lift silverware, becoming West Ham`s first trophy-winning captain in 43 years.
Given their shared traits, it was perhaps unsurprising when Tony Adams, affectionately known as `Mr. Arsenal,` recently suggested that Rice should be handed the Arsenal armband. Adams argued that Rice could `lay the foundations of a title-winning team,` implying that current captain Martin Ødegaard could not.
However, had Adams been part of the Arsenal dressing room vote, he would have found himself decisively outvoted. Mikel Arteta revealed that the first-team squad overwhelmingly selected their leadership group for the new season, with Ødegaard winning `by a mile, by a big, big 100 marks, everybody choosing the same person.` This decision likely came as no shock to Arteta, who brought the Norwegian to the Emirates Stadium in 2021 and appointed him club captain the following year.
Ødegaard`s Unique Leadership Qualities
“Martin has got hundreds of qualities,” Arteta stated. “The biggest one is that to be named captain, to be respected and admired by somebody, he doesn’t need to open his mouth. That’s a massive quality.” Arteta emphasized that Ødegaard earns trust and recognition from his teammates without needing grand speeches.
Ødegaard will undoubtedly use Adams` comments as fuel for a new season, determined, like everyone at Arsenal, to end the wait for major silverware. The team`s vote only solidified his standing among his peers. Those who know him well praise his pastoral qualities; Ødegaard actively seeks out new arrivals and young players, going out of his way to ensure they settle into the environment. Having been thrust into the limelight at 16 when Real Madrid pursued his services, he is uniquely positioned to advise emerging talents on transitioning potential into performance.
While Adams might not envision Ødegaard physically asserting dominance on the field, the current Arsenal captain knows how to convey his message effectively. Individuals familiar with his behavior behind closed doors confirm that Ødegaard is not afraid to raise his voice or show passion when the situation demands it, and when he does, his message resonates clearly.
The Evolution of Arsenal Captaincy
Arteta called for the vote to reflect changes in the leadership group following the summer transfer window. With Jorginho having moved to Flamengo and Gabriel Jesus recovering from injury, players like Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Gabriel Magalhães are now likely to wear the armband in Ødegaard`s absence. Arteta stressed that what matters most is who the players feel should lead them, who will inspire and support them, and ultimately, who they want representing the club on the pitch.
For some, a club captain`s role might seem a mere formality, a ceremonial position of diminishing importance in increasingly systematized football. At Arsenal, however, the armband has frequently carried significant weight. In the years following Adams and Vieira, the captaincy`s value arguably depreciated under Arsène Wenger, who sometimes used it as an incentive to retain stars like Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie for an extra season or two.
Simultaneously, others at the Emirates Stadium grew concerned about the captaincy`s devaluation. Then-chief executive Ivan Gazidis was known to be a keen reader of `The Captain Class,` a 2016 book positing that transformative individual leadership was the common thread among the greatest teams across all sports. Its author, Sam Walker, has since collaborated with Arsenal owners KSE.
Ødegaard may not be the old-school rabble-rouser Adams was, but he has long understood his ability to unite his teammates. This past summer, every new Arsenal signing received a handwritten note from a teammate, many of which came from the club captain. Ødegaard organizes gatherings for teammates and their families, with Saka frequently visiting to watch matches with him. His camaraderie with Kai Havertz has delighted social media.
Performance as the Ultimate Leadership
Ultimately, the best way for Ødegaard to reaffirm his status as a leader in the Arsenal squad is the same way Adams, Vieira, McLintock, and Arteta did when they were captains: by being one of the team`s best players. While last season saw a dip in his goal contributions due to an ankle injury, preseason has hinted at a return to form, with Ødegaard moving into more advanced and central midfield positions. “Nobody else is going to be more [determined to improve],” Arteta asserted. “The way that Martin trains, plays, prepares himself, the demands that he puts on himself: there is no question about that. Our job is to give him the best context, tools and players around him to facilitate his qualities. We’re ready to do that.”
If Ødegaard`s qualities are facilitated to the highest level, then questions about his captaincy will undoubtedly fade. After all, what better way to lead than by scoring and assisting goals as he did before last season? If these contributions lead to the silverware Arsenal craves, then Ødegaard may well secure his place among the pantheon of great captains in red and white.
