All signs are pointing towards Martin Odegaard as being the Arsenal captain next season. Since the position became vacant in December there has been a lot of debate on who be given the role of Arsenal leader.
That player seems to be Odegaard as he has been given the temporary responsibility of club captain. Lacazette initially took on the role, but with his departure seemingly inevitable in the summer, and his exclusion from the starting team, it has meant that Odegaard has taken over the role.
It has been seen as a curse for a player to take the role of the Arsenal captaincy, as players who have been given the responsibility have usually left the club shortly after, or faced disciplinary issues. But Odegaard has already shown that he will break the curse.
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Arsenal’s two previous captains have been stripped of the role due to disciplinary issues, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang departing the club in the January transfer window and Granit Xhaka losing the captaincy in 2019. The Gunners have also sold Laurent Koscielny, Robin Van Persie, and Cesc Fabregas while they were still captains of the club.
However, Odegaard has shown this season why he will be the player to end this dreaded curse at the club. Not only has his performances been exemplary from a creativity point of view, but it is also his ability to lead the team. In interviews, he has also sung the praises of Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal dressing room which highlights that he is completely on board.
Speaking about the dressing room atmosphere at Real Madrid to Norwegian outlet TV2 (via AS), Odegaard said: “It is not easy to integrate into the core of the locker room.” However, when asked about Arsenal he said: "I think it's like that in the bigger clubs. Everything becomes a little more dispersed. I'm very happy where I am now at Arsenal, which has a very nice dressing room."
Odegaard has been excellent for Arsenal this season after signing in the summer transfer window. His impressive displays have been epitomised by the fact that he has created the most chances in the league since November.
Towards the end of last season and the start of this campaign, Arsenal were crying out for a player who could create chances. But Odegaard has certainly filled this void and is a major factor in the Gunners’ push for Champions League football next season.
The Norway international has been crucial to Arteta’s side's improved build-up play this season. He has been key factor behind why the club can boast the third-highest expected goals in the league since December 17.
And it is not just Odegaard’s creativity that makes him an untouchable player in Arteta’s starting XI but also his off-the-ball work and his ability to lead the team's press that makes him so important. This was highlighted in Arsenal’s midweek win over Chelsea as he played an important role in Arsenal’s surprising 4-2 win.
His importance to the side has been shown by Arteta as the Spaniard has made Odegaard the club captain in recent matches. He has already shown his leadership on the pitch for the Gunners without wearing the armband, and he could be made the permanent skipper for next season. Arsenal needs to break the captain curse, and if there is a player to do so it will be Odegaard.
