With Arsenal now losing their grip on the Premier League title, there have been questions over the leadership in the dressing room.
Paul Scholes recently criticised Declan Rice for a lack of leadership, noting that it’s the one area of his game that needs developing.
Is Declan Rice right or is the Premier League title race DONE?
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has also been subjected to some harsh judgments, and there was even a report that he had a rift with Mikel Arteta.
With that said, it’s now emerged how the Norwegian international is actually viewed behind the scenes at the club.
- READ MORE: Mikel Arteta tipped to potentially resign as Arsenal manager after what journalist has ‘heard’
Martin Odegaard is ‘highly respected’ behind the scenes at Arsenal
Speaking on the ESPN FC podcast, journalist James Olley has rubbished any suggestions that Odegaard isn’t valued as a captain.
Olley understands the former Real Madrid playmaker is held in very high regard around the Colney training ground.
“I know he’s very, very highly respected behind the scenes,” Olley stated.
🤔 TRUE or FALSE: Martin Odegaard must START every Arsenal game after his display vs Man City?
“And I know, it sounds a bit wishy-washy, I understand that, but I’m just saying that he, you know, he’s, he’s somebody who has been really important for the culture of that squad and how it’s transformed from being quite a disparate, fractured dressing room to being united in the pursuit of one goal. That’s what I’m saying.”
Arteta recently hailed Odegaard for his ability to glue the team together, so it’s pretty clear that the 27-year-old remains an authoritative figure at the football club.
However, there has been speculation that he could be replaced in the summer for a more creative midfielder, as there’s no doubt his statistics have dwindled this term.
He’s only been involved in eight goals, which is a far cry from the numbers he was putting up not so long ago.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has actually been mooted as a potential Odegaard replacement, which would be quite something.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
