‘It’s time we stripped him of the captain’s armband, otherwise Arsenal will go trophy-less like last season’: Man United legend urges Arteta to strip Martin Ødegaard. His captaincy role, and provide it One Arsenal player, if they truly want to win Titles Full Story: Link in

Arsenal’s current captaincy should be reconsidered, according to former player Emmanuel Petit, who suggests that a more suitable leader exists within the team. Despite Martin Odegaard being named captain for the 2022/23 season, Petit advocates for a change, emphasizing the presence of a potential leader on the squad.

Petit specifically highlights Declan Rice as the ideal candidate for the captaincy, commending his qualities and pointing to his standout performance against Liverpool in a recent match. The 25-year-old, who currently wears the captain’s armband, could see Mikel Arteta assigning the role to another player based on Petit’s recommendation.

In the context of Arsenal’s 3-1 victory against Liverpool, Petit underscores the pivotal role played by Rice in the midfield alongside Jorginho. According to Petit, the success in the game was attributed to their dominance in the midfield, both physically and tactically.

Rice’s impact since his £105 million transfer from West Ham United last summer has been significant, earning him recognition as the Premier League player of the season. Petit believes that Rice’s character, leadership qualities, and influence in crucial moments make him a deserving candidate for the Arsenal captaincy.

Having captained West Ham to success in the Europa Conference League last season, Rice brings a winning mentality and experience to the table. Petit concludes by affirming that, in his view, Declan Rice should be appointed as the new captain for Arsenal, emphasizing the player’s unique qualities and impact in key matches.