Martin Odegaard: Arsenal name Norwegian midfielder as new first team captain ahead of new season | Football news

Mikel Arteta describes Martin Odegaard as a “really good guy” who wants to take Arsenal to the next level after handing the Norwegian midfielder the Arsenal captain’s armband.

The 23-year-old was handed the full-time captaincy after Arteta installed a ‘leadership group’ in the squad following disciplinary actions that saw Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stripped of his role last season.

Odegaard’s appointment was announced six days before Arsenal begin their new Premier League season away from Crystal Palace, to be streamed live on Sky Sports’ Friday night football next week.

“What I’ve seen in the last 18 months since he’s been with us is that he represents the values ​​of this football club, the team, teammates and staff in the best way possible. ,” said Arteta when asked about Odegaard’s new role, following Arsenal’s 6-0 Emirates Cup win over Sevilla on Saturday.

“He shows the ambition to take this club to another level, to push this team and to give in it, as well as how he is respected by everyone in the organization.

“He’s also the captain of his national team and I think it’s the right call, and I’m proud to announce that because I think he’s a really good guy to make the commitment. that with the club.”

Arteta: Odegaard makes Jesus extraordinary better

Arsenal ended their pre-season campaign with a 6-0 win over Sevilla – a match that saw the Gunners’ £45m summer signing score a hat-trick on his home debut.

Odegaard and Jesus bonded well during the warm-up, and Arteta believes the pair established a bond within the first few weeks of the season.

“He makes Gabby better and he needs a threat in front of him,” Arteta said of Odegaard. “He can find the final pass in any moment, whether close or open space. We needed someone to help him look good and the connection was there.”

Is Odegaard the right choice as captain?

Sky Sports football journalist Sam Blitz:

This is the first captaincy decision for Arteta, who captained the Gunners from 2014 until his retirement in 2016.

While Arteta, as he describes Odegaard now, was a respected member of the dressing room under Arsene Wenger, the Spaniard was not always a top choice in midfield. That experience may have led him to pick a captain who is likely to play this week, the other week.

Arsenal’s captaincy options were pretty clear to the club’s board last season. Alexandre Lacazette led that group but left the club in June. Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding and Odegaard are also understood to be part of that group of players.

As Arsenal’s fourth central defender option, Holding would never be considered a serious option. Tierney is another famous member of the dressing room, but he often has problems with injuries. That leaves Odegaard – who was one of Arsenal’s first names and also captain of Norway – the only candidate.

But Arteta did want to emphasize that, regardless of the state of their squad, everyone will have to give their best in the dressing room. The Gunners boss spoke about how Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jesus will bring the experience of big game scenarios and high standards to the club. Leadership will be beyond Odegaard’s grasp.