Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted the ‘perfect professional’ Martin Odegaard could be a candidate to become the new captain.
Arteta this week stripped Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal’s captaincy after another disciplinary issue that cost him his place in the team last Saturday and for Wednesday’s victory over West Ham United.
The Arsenal head coach is turning to a ‘leadership group’ that includes Granit Xhaka and Alexandre Lacazette until a new permanent captain is eventually named.
Odegaard, who joined the London team on loan last January before making the move permanent in the summer, has emerged as a candidate, already serving as captain with the Norwegian national team.
And Arteta has described the 23-year-old midfielder as a ‘natural leader’ who is now playing an instrumental role in his side.
‘He’s a very young player but already has a lot of experience at different clubs and international level,’ Arteta told a press conference on Friday.
‘I agree in the last few weeks he’s getting close to his best level and the ceiling for him I don’t know where it is because of talent and desire he has and how much he wants to improve.
‘We have a tremendous player. ‘He is a natural leader if you look for perfect professional he wouldn’t be very far from that’.
Someone else who has been taking Aubameyang’s responsibilities – in more than one way – is Alexandre Lacazette.
The Frenchman not only plays in the same position as the former Arsenal captain. He has also taken the armband on a number of occasions already.
The player will be out of contract at the end of the campaign and there are doubts over his future. But asked if the situation with Aubameyang could affect Lacazette’s future, Arteta said the stance is clear.
“Alex’s performances, involvement and commitment are not related to his contract situation,” he said. “I discussed in the summer with him what it is and we’re both clear on that. He’s played a lot under me and I’ve always been really pleased with him.”
