Mikel Arteta has suggested Martin Odegaard could be handed the Arsenal captaincy by declaring the Norwegian "has all the qualities" to lead his side.
The Gunners have named Alexandre Lacazette as their skipper until the end of the season after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the armband before departing for Barcelona.
But Lacazette is out of contract this summer and it appears highly unlikely he will extend his stay at the Emirates, so Arteta will almost certainly need to choose a new leader in the near future.
Odegaard, a £30million arrival from Real Madrid last year, has already proved his credentials with his appointment as Norway captain.
Arteta has spoken to Norway manager Stale Solbakken about the 23-year-old and is confident he could take on the same role at club level.
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The Arsenal boss discussed the captaincy after Granit Xhaka, another former skipper previously relieved of his duties, seemed to refuse the armband after Lacazette was taken off against Brentford on Saturday.
Arteta was asked about whether Odegaard could take up the mantle after the 2-1 Premier League victory and responded: "He certainly has all the qualities to do that, absolutely.
"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."
Odegaard spent the second half of last season on loan at Arsenal, convincing club chiefs to pursue a permanent transfer with his eye-catching performances in the No.10 role.
He has four goals and four assists to his name for the current campaign, leaving Arteta in no doubt he is "getting better and better".
"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," the Spaniard added.
"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."
