Martin Odegaard believes Declan Rice can be ‘the next captain’ of Arsenal given how important the midfielder has been since ‘rolling into the team’ following his transfer.
So important, in fact, that Odegaard considers Rice to be the first player on their teamsheet under Mikel Arteta. The Gunners skipper is in awe of what the 24-year-old has added to the line-up at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal paid West Ham United a club-record fee for him in July.
Rice has fitted like a glove in north London to instantly emerge as a leading figure of Arteta’s squad. He has started in 13 of Arsenal’s 14 fixtures across all competitions so far this season. The Irons product only missed their 1-0 Carabao Cup win at Brentford due to his back injury.
Odegaard believes Rice can be ‘the next Arsenal captain’
Rice has further offered two crucial goals, plus an assist, since leaving the west of the capital for the north. He gave the Gunners a dramatic late lead over Manchester United in the 96th minute. The 46-cap England ace also got their first at Chelsea to come back and draw 2-2.
Now, Odegaard has opened up on why he is a ‘huge, huge fan’ of Rice after his first assist for Arsenal against Sevilla. The 6 ft 2 all-action ace laid Gabriel Jesus off for their second goal of the Champions League tie. But Odegaard also loves what Rice shows around London Colney.
“I’m a big fan, a huge, huge fan of Declan Rice,” Odegaard told talkSPORT. “I think since he stepped up into the team, he gave the impression that he’s been there for ages. He’s been like a leader and rolled into the team and off the pitch, he’s so important.
“For me, he can be the next captain of the Gunners with [Bukayo] Saka, because he’s from the academy. Declan Rice has so much quality as a person but as a player, as well. For me, he’s No1 into the team.”
Rice has already become a leader at Emirates Stadium
Rice’s last act for West Ham before joining Arsenal this summer was captaining the Irons to the Europa Conference League. He lifted the trophy in Prague for the Hammers’ first major trophy since 1980. The midfielder also took them to the Europa League semi-finals in 2022.
Arsenal will hope Rice can now help them go far in the Champions League this season. The Gunners are enjoying their first term in UEFA’s elite club competition since 2016/17. Arteta will hope their return does not end in the Round of 16 like Arsenal’s last seven attempts did.
Rice has certainly shown he can transfer his captain’s qualities from West Ham to Arsenal to merit Odegaard’s belief in him potentially one day taking the armband from the 24-year-old. He has been an all-action presence in Arteta’s team and confident to demand the maximum.
The Irons product starts and ends the Gunners’ attacks, building the play from the back after also winning the ball. Rice had even shown at West Ham that he could add a driving force to Arsenal’s core. While he first took up the Hammers’ captaincy as Mark Noble’s No2 in 2020.
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