While his performances left a lot to be desired last season, Martin Odegaard is likely to remain Arsenal’s captain for some time to come.
The Norwegian international was made the Gunners’ permanent captain by Mikel Arteta in the summer of 2022.
Able to score goals, control the tempo of games, and create chances for his teammates, the former Real Madrid wonderkid was starting to get back to his best before his latest injury and will undoubtedly be a big miss for the next month.
However, while it seems unlikely that he will lose the armband anytime soon, there are several players in the squad who could succeed him, including one young talent in particular.
Arsenal's captains in waiting
The excellent news for Arteta is that currently, his squad is full to bursting with international superstars who’d be more than capable of taking the captain’s armband if Odegaard were to relinquish it or leave the club.
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One option that would go down brilliantly with the Emirates faithful is Bukayo Saka, as not only is he truly one of their own, but he’s already worn it on multiple occasions.
Moreover, the Hale Ender is without a doubt the most talented attacker in the side and someone who clearly has the mental fortitude for that sort of pressure.
At the other end of the pitch, both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães could be excellent options.
The Frenchman is widely considered one of the most cultured defenders in the league, and with a new five-year deal signed, his commitment to the project is unquestionable.
Likewise, his Brazilian partner is a player who’d run through walls for the team, someone in the mould of Tony Adams who can get the crowd on their feet with a crunching tackle or a thundering headed goal from a corner.
Moreover, while Arsenal have been labelled pushovers and meek in the past, Saliba and Gabriel are anything but, and two of the reasons why the North Londoners are seen as so physical these days.
Finally, the name most fans would probably put forward as an immediate successor to Odegaard is Declan Rice.
The all-action midfielder wore the armband for West Ham United, and has now done the same for England and is simply one of the most reliable performers in the team.
On top of that, he’s vocal on the pitch, clearly passionate and embodies what many view as an old-school captain.
However, while all of these players could become Arsenal’s captain in the future, there is another, younger star who could be the one to take the armband off Odegaard when he’s ready to give it up.
Arsenal's future captain
One of the big positives for Arsenal last season was the emergence and development of young talents, such as Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The Hale Ender made his debut for the team against Manchester City in September, was a core member of the starting lineup by the end of the campaign, and, while it might sound extreme, is someone who could take the armband from Odegaard in the future.
In fact, according to club insider Hand of Arsenal, the teenager is very much seen as a “future captain” thanks largely to him already having the “mentality of a seasoned veteran.”
Whether or not you agree that he could become the team’s leader, it’s impossible to deny that the Islington-born gem is already playing well beyond his years.
For example, he ended last season having made 39 first-team appearances, 26 of which were starts, with two of those coming in wins at home and away against Real Madrid.
Appearances
39
Starts
26
Minutes
2306′
Goals
1
Assists
2
Points per Game
1.95
Moreover, he opened his account for the Gunners with a sensational strike against City, and then, while he received plenty of criticism for it, showed an incredible level of confidence by mocking Erling Haaland with his celebration.
As if that wasn’t enough, he then scored on his debut for England, and now has six senior caps to his name, and stands a real chance of making it to next year’s World Cup.
Ultimately, it is still very early in his career, but Lewis-Skelly is an extremely talented player and has already shown that he has the attitude to make it to the very top.
Therefore, there is every chance he could be the one to replace Odegaard as Arsenal’s captain at some point in the future.
