Mikel Arteta should be inspired by Arsene Wenger’s tough decision when the Arsenal manager was a player under the iconic Frenchman.
When Wenger signed Arteta from Everton in 2011, who would’ve thought that the midfielder would go on to become an Arsenal legend in the making?
Arteta offered a lot to the Gunners as a player, but nothing close to the magic he’s producing at the Emirates as Arsenal’s manager.
This season could be very special for the North Londoners, as Arsenal are favourites to win the Premier League and are still fighting on all four fronts.
There is, however, one problem, an issue that Arteta has the answers to if he reflects on his playing career.
Which record could you see Mikel Arteta breaking at Arsenal in the future?
Mikel Arteta needs to take the same captaincy stance with Martin Odegaard as Arsene Wenger
In 2014, Wenger made the decision to make Arteta Arsenal captain.
What he didn’t do, however, was put the player wearing the armband on a pedestal, as once the boss realised that Arsenal’s midfield had passed Arteta by, the Spaniard featured less and less.
In Arteta’s final season at Arsenal, he only made nine Premier League appearances, as by that time, the torch had been passed to the next generation of midfielders that included the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Francis Coquelin.
In different circumstances but with a similar principle, Arteta must now take a leaf out of Wenger’s book when it comes to Arsenal’s captain.
Martin Odegaard’s form has been terrible, but Arteta continues to stick by the playmaker, which has Arsenal fans questioning if the manager is giving Odegaard starts due to the fact that he’s club captain.
Tell us your thoughts on Martin Odegaard being Arsenal captain
Arsenal supporters don’t want Odegaard to be captain, and while the Norwegian’s role isn’t going to change, it’s clear that it’s time to get the 27-year-old out of the starting XI.
Just like when Arteta was captain, Wenger didn’t play him just because of the title he carried, as he recognised that he had better midfielders available to him.
The Spanish coach now finds himself in a comparable situation, particularly next season, with Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri set to join the fight for competition.
Arteta already knows he cannot start Martin Odegaard against Leeds
It sounds like a drastic action to take, but it’s just something that should take shape as time passes.
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Arsenal fans have made it clear that they don’t want Odegaard to start in the Gunners’ upcoming Premier League game against Leeds United, something Arteta surely has to honour.
Captaincy is an honour, but it shouldn’t guarantee game time if the form isn’t there to warrant minutes.
All eyes will be on the decision Arteta makes regarding Odegaard on Saturday afternoon at Elland Road, with supporters desperate for the boss to take action.
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