There are few people more qualified to talk about Arsenal than Mr Arsenal himself, Tony Adams.
The Arsenal legend is the definition of a one-club man, spending the entirety of his career as a Gunner.
Adams rubbed shoulders with some of Arsenal’s best-ever players over the years, being a role model to those in the dressing room both past and present.
Though few can prove their love for Arsenal like Adams, the iconic defender has admitted that he’s becoming quite impatient with one part of the club.
Tony Adams urges Mikel Arteta to make Declan Rice change
Ahead of the start of the 2025/26 season, Adams returned to the Indo Sport podcast to preview the challenges that await the Gunners.
The club legend not only spoke about the changes within the Arsenal squad due to new signings, but also about changes that Mikel Arteta still needs to make.
“I think he’s got a really big call to make this year, and for me, he hasn’t done it. And the call is to make Declan Rice the captain,” Adams revealed.
Adams believes Rice is perfect captain material for Arsenal, believing that the boss needs to take the armband from Martin Odegaard promptly.
“I think Declan is my kind of captain, and what it might do it might free Odegaard up to play with a bit more freedom.
“I think he’s an Arsenal kind of leader. I think he is. He’s good in the dressing room, around the training camp, around the thing, you know, he’s got standards, he’s got principles, he’s got, you know, I can see the man that’s… He’s a proper player and a proper captain.”
The situation regarding Arsenal’s captain has been bugging Adams for some time, as he admitted that he’s ‘critical’ of Arteta’s reluctance to signal a change of guard.
“I would have done it, but you’re talking about Arteta and stuff, but Arteta’s not done it, so I’m being critical of Arteta at the moment. I think big managers go, right, actually, you’re my man now.”
Interestingly, Adams isn’t the only one who thinks this way, as Arsenal fans want Rice to become captain, having raised concerns about Odegaard last season.
Adams was Arsenal’s best-ever captain
Rice has spoken about Odegaard’s qualities as a captain, maintaining that the dressing room is in full support of the Norwegian wearing the armband.
That being said, if there’s one figure whose intuition regarding leaders in the squad should be heard, it’s Adams.
There’s no doubt that the centre-back holds the title of Arsenal’s best-ever captain, sporting the armband for 14 years, lifting 10 major trophies in that time.
Not only was there no denying the Englishman’s dedication to the cause, but he also delivered.
Adams did what, arguably, no captain will do in the Premier League era, captaining Arsenal to three league titles in three different decades.
Arteta might be wise to consider Adams’ advice, with the club legend firmly believing Rice deserves the duty.
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