📂 Categoría: Football,Premier League | 📅 Fecha: 1777544990
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Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara have urged Arsenal to replace Martin Odegaard as club captain.
Odegaard has been at the Emirates for six seasons, amassing 230 appearances in all competitions. He was awarded the armband in 2022 at just 23, leveraging his experience leading the Norway national team.
However, this season, the midfielder has struggled due to a persistent knee injury, missing 12 Premier League matches.
The 27-year-old was selected in the starting lineup by Mikel Arteta on Wednesday night ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash against Atletico Madrid.
He struggled to make a lasting impression, recording only one blocked shot, losing possession three times and winning only one of two contested duels.
Consequently, the Norwegian was substituted off before the hour mark, with Eberechi Eze replacing him.
Martin Oh-dear-gaard
Following the first-leg of the semi-final, O’Hara and Cundy spoke on talkSPORT’s Sports Bar regarding whether Odegaard deserves to remain in Arteta’s side.
The ex-Tottenham player said: “Last season, he wasn’t great either. He’s been terrible this season, getting dragged off in a Champions League semi-final when you’re the captain is never a good look.
“I do believe that Arsenal may be growing away from Odegaard. Maybe they’ve got to look at a player who can come in and be that talisman.
“When Eze came on tonight, he kept getting caught in possession. He’s done a couple of good things, but is he the world-class star in the number 10 role for Arsenal? I’m not sure. But Odegaard needs to up his game.
“He needs to buck his ideas up because he will end up falling down the pecking order. I don’t think he can be the captain anymore.”
Case for Declan Rice
With Odegaard’s absences this season, Declan Rice has emerged as the club’s natural leader. His background positions him alongside history-book figures like Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, as Rice became one of three captains to lead West Ham to a major trophy.
Cundy offered high praise for the England international, backing him for the role.
He said: “He’s never going to catch the eye in terms of doing step-overs,pinging one in top bins, or running 30 yards. He isn’t that player. What he is a defensive monster.
“When he goes forward, he carries the team. He’s brilliant in control. I think he will be England’s next captain, and I think he’ll be Arsenal’s next captain.”
Wilshere weighs in
Despite the criticism, there are fans and pundits who believe the Norwegian is key to Arteta’s system, even though he has found the back f the net just once this season.
Former Arsenal player Jack Wilshere defended Odegaard on talkSPORT Breakfast on Wednesday, arguing that the squad functions better when the Norwegian leads them out.
He said: “Over the last few years, there has been a change in style in the team, but that’s not just Arsenal, right?
“You look at Man City and how they brought Haaland in and how they played into his strengths a little bit more.
“With Arsenal, I think Odegaard is key to that. He’s a player who takes risks. He’s a player who, even out of possession, sets the tone.
“He’s had a few injuries this season, maybe he’s lost a bit of form at times. But when Martin’s playing, it’s a different team and they look braver.
“This Arsenal team has fallen short over the last few years against Liverpool and City, teams that like to dominate the ball, and Arsenal couldn’t get it done.
“He obviously sees this as the way forward to winning the league, and at times, I would like to see them play a little bit more on the ball as well.”
Arsenal are next in action against Fulham on Saturday at 5.30pm as they look to cling on to the top spot in the Premier League.
Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara have urged Arsenal to replace Martin Odegaard as club captain.
Odegaard has been at the Emirates for six seasons, amassing 230 appearances in all competitions. He was awarded the armband in 2022 at just 23, leveraging his experience leading the Norway national team.
However, this season, the midfielder has struggled due to a persistent knee injury, missing 12 Premier League matches.
The 27-year-old was selected in the starting lineup by Mikel Arteta on Wednesday night ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash against Atletico Madrid.
He struggled to make a lasting impression, recording only one blocked shot, losing possession three times and winning only one of two contested duels.
Consequently, the Norwegian was substituted off before the hour mark, with Eberechi Eze replacing him.
Martin Oh-dear-gaard
Following the first-leg of the semi-final, O’Hara and Cundy spoke on talkSPORT’s Sports Bar regarding whether Odegaard deserves to remain in Arteta’s side.
The ex-Tottenham player said: “Last season, he wasn’t great either. He’s been terrible this season, getting dragged off in a Champions League semi-final when you’re the captain is never a good look.
“I do believe that Arsenal may be growing away from Odegaard. Maybe they’ve got to look at a player who can come in and be that talisman.
“When Eze came on tonight, he kept getting caught in possession. He’s done a couple of good things, but is he the world-class star in the number 10 role for Arsenal? I’m not sure. But Odegaard needs to up his game.
“He needs to buck his ideas up because he will end up falling down the pecking order. I don’t think he can be the captain anymore.”
Case for Declan Rice
With Odegaard’s absences this season, Declan Rice has emerged as the club’s natural leader. His background positions him alongside history-book figures like Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, as Rice became one of three captains to lead West Ham to a major trophy.
Cundy offered high praise for the England international, backing him for the role.
He said: “He’s never going to catch the eye in terms of doing step-overs,pinging one in top bins, or running 30 yards. He isn’t that player. What he is a defensive monster.
“When he goes forward, he carries the team. He’s brilliant in control. I think he will be England’s next captain, and I think he’ll be Arsenal’s next captain.”
Wilshere weighs in
Despite the criticism, there are fans and pundits who believe the Norwegian is key to Arteta’s system, even though he has found the back f the net just once this season.
Former Arsenal player Jack Wilshere defended Odegaard on talkSPORT Breakfast on Wednesday, arguing that the squad functions better when the Norwegian leads them out.
He said: “Over the last few years, there has been a change in style in the team, but that’s not just Arsenal, right?
“You look at Man City and how they brought Haaland in and how they played into his strengths a little bit more.
“With Arsenal, I think Odegaard is key to that. He’s a player who takes risks. He’s a player who, even out of possession, sets the tone.
“He’s had a few injuries this season, maybe he’s lost a bit of form at times. But when Martin’s playing, it’s a different team and they look braver.
“This Arsenal team has fallen short over the last few years against Liverpool and City, teams that like to dominate the ball, and Arsenal couldn’t get it done.
“He obviously sees this as the way forward to winning the league, and at times, I would like to see them play a little bit more on the ball as well.”
Arsenal are next in action against Fulham on Saturday at 5.30pm as they look to cling on to the top spot in the Premier League.
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📚 Información de la Fuente
| 📰 Publicación: | talksport.com |
| ✍️ Autor: | Amy Hamerslagh |
| 📅 Fecha Original: | 2026-04-30 10:24:00 |
| 🔗 Enlace: | Ver artículo original |
Nota de transparencia: Este artículo ha sido traducido y adaptado del inglés al español para facilitar su comprensión. El contenido se mantiene fiel a la fuente original, disponible en el enlace proporcionado arriba.
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