Arsenal had been criticized for not having enough captains to end their 20-year title drought, but they have assembled a team full of quality and character.
Mikel Arteta has led Arsenal to the top of the Premier League, but no coach has ever taken Arsenal to the top of the Premier League. The Gunners manager has built the strongest squad during his six-year reign and has looked to ensure there is plenty of character within the group.
Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Gabriel and Mikel Merino join Arsenal’s leadership group as five very big figures in the dressing room. They actually voted on the captaincy and Arteta has already revealed that Odegaard has kept the armband for “100 miles” as he is the leader.
Saka appears to be next in line to don the armband if Odegaard is sidelined with injury, but perhaps outsiders don’t realize how much the other players respect him.
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For a certain generation of Arsenal fans, Saka reminds them of club legend David Rocastle, who plays on the right. He is their favorite player and is extremely skilled and talented. He’s a great personality and character at the club.
Additionally, Saka leads by example. He is part of Gareth Southgate’s England coaching group and is undoubtedly a candidate for future captaincy for club and country.
Rice wears the England armband despite not starting a game as Arsenal captain. Merino is a hugely popular figure, and despite not being a surefire starter, he is a great teammate, well-spoken and has a voice befitting a Spanish star.
Gabriel wears the armband fairly regularly and his importance to the team cannot be underestimated. He is already the Premier League’s highest-scoring defender since joining in 2020, and his goal against Atletico Madrid in midweek moved him into Arsenal’s all-time top 100 scorers list.
It is well known that Gabriel Jesus, who is recovering from a long-term knee injury, has also been in this group in the past, but Julian Timber makes a strong case for being the best full-back in the Premier League on the right or left based on his current form.
They also have international players such as William Saliba, Martin Zvimendi, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz, as well as experienced players such as David Raya, Ben White, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Riccardo Calafioli.
Arsenal signed Christian Norgaard, who has an established reputation at the club, when they acquired the Danish midfielder from Brentford last summer.
Arteta is now eyeing leadership skills as a prerequisite for Arsenal’s new signings.
Arsenal have long been accused of lacking leadership since the days of Tony Adams and others, but Arsenal now have plenty of captaincy material.
And for Premier League clubs and national teams, leadership groups have never been more important, even in modern dressing rooms.
It gives players a voice, leadership and a sense of togetherness that is so important on and off the pitch.
And if you look at Arsenal’s form this season, they are heading in the right direction.
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