Arsenal icon Tony Adams has sparked a major leadership debate at the Emirates, insisting Mikel Arteta must strip Martin Odegaard of the captaincy if the club are serious about ending their long wait for a Premier League title. The former Gunners skipper, who lifted four league trophies during his decorated career, believes the armband should be handed to Declan Rice, a player he sees as the embodiment of a champion.
Arsenal have come agonisingly close to the crown in recent campaigns, twice finishing runners-up to Manchester City and last season pipped by Liverpool. Despite Odegaard’s technical brilliance since being named captain in 2022 following the exits of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Adams argues he has not delivered the silverware or steel needed to push the Gunners over the line.
Speaking with the authority of someone who has led title-winning sides, Adams urged Arteta to make what he called “a really big call” this year.
“He’s got a really big call to make this year and for me he hasn’t done it,” Adams said. “The call is to make Declan Rice the captain. I think Declan is my kind of captain, and it might free Odegaard up to play with a bit more freedom. Every now and again as a manager, you have to put someone who reflects you, who reflects the football club that you think can actually take you to the next level.”
Adams even cheekily suggested that Rice might mirror Arteta’s ideals — and perhaps surpass them.
“I think he’s better than Arteta,” he said. “To win league titles, you have to be a [Jurgen] Klopp, you have to be a [Sir Alex] Ferguson. You have to lead by example, you have to be a winner, you have to go about your business. And that reflects in your captain.
“‘And I’m seeing Declan Rice as a captain, but I’m saying to Arteta: ‘Come on, step up now. It’s your time to be a winning manager and a fantastic manager, because you’re not going to win the league with Odegaard as captain’.”
Rice was signed from West Ham for £105m and has established himself as a midfield powerhouse at the Emirates. Adams believes his combination of stamina, leadership, and grit could be the decisive factor in toppling City and Liverpool.
“You’ve got someone in their who’s going to play every game all season, that’s going to encourage people to come in and lay the foundations of a title-winning team,” he continued. “Declan Rice can do that, Odegaard can’t. Come on Arteta, make him captain.”
While Adams was careful not to question Odegaard’s talent, the underlying message was blunt: the Norwegian’s quiet, understated leadership style is not the profile Arsenal need to conquer the Premier League. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s opening assignment could not be more daunting as they are set to make a trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. And a victory in such a high-profile clash would send an early title message to the rivals.
