Mikel Arteta needs to make a big change after what Declan Rice did vs Athletic Club

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Arsenal’s Champions League campaign got off to a winning start on Tuesday evening

Indeed, the Gunners weren’t at their very best at San Mames in midweek, and, there wasn’t too much to pick out from the game until the final 20 minutes.

Gabriel Martinelli won the game for Arsenal shortly after coming off the bench, before Leandro Trossard put the icing on the cake. While, sadly, there were a few negatives from the first hour or so.

Viktor Gyokeres struggled to make much of an impact on his first Champions League start for Arsenal, and it was a similar story for Eberechi Eze too.

Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber looked bright at right-back, and Timber has earned praise throughout this season.

However, there was one interesting moment just after half-time that suggests Mikel Arteta should make a bit of a change in his squad.

Declan Rice led Arsenal’s half-time huddle

As Arsenal came out for the second-half in Bilbao, the Gunners’ players assembled in a huddle ahead of a big 45 minutes.

Interestingly, it was Declan Rice who was leading the huddle, giving his own version of a team talk as the Gunners prepared to secure an important European win.

Rice was acting as the de facto captain. However, he wasn’t wearing the captain’s armband on the night.

Gabriel Magalhaes was wearing the armband against Athletic Club, but it was Rice who took the lead here.

Gabriel is a great leader in his own right, but perhaps Rice should be the player taking the armband when Martin Odegaard isn’t available.

Of course, Odegaard is the club captain, and Odegaard is a great leader in his own right, so he shouldn’t be stripped of that duty, but, as his deputy, Rice is perfect for that role.

Tony Adams wants Declan Rice to be Arsenal captain

There’s a strong case to make that Rice should be Arsenal’s new vice captain, but according to Tony Adams, Rice should replace Odegaard as the main skipper.

“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 said.

“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.”

Rice is clearly a great leader at Arsenal, and after showcasing his vocal leadership style on Tuesday, Arteta has a big call to make in terms of his role in this core group of the squad.