Declan Rice should be Arsenal captain, not Martin Ødegaard. Rice is a more natural on-field leader, the more ruthless competitor and the more likely to impose himself more effectively on opponents. Ødegaard is a fine role model for Arsenal, more of a club captain, and undeniably represents them well. Arsenal’s board and marketing department must love the clean-cut, well-spoken Norwegian. But Arsenal need a warrior not an ambassador as they fight to stay ahead in the Premier League title race.
I’ve argued this point with Arsenal beat reporters on TV debate shows this season. I’ve discussed this sensitive subject with Arsenal season-ticket holders, including going into Sunday’s game with Manchester United at the Emirates. I appreciate how many respect Ødegaard and consider any desire to strip the thoughtful, likeable No. 8 of the armband and hand it to another 27-year-old as simply the blind backing of someone who’s known Rice since his early West Ham United days, and who covers England.
