Since signing for Real Madrid aged 16, it’s taken Martin Odegaard longer than expected to establish himself in the game.
The 23 year old had to go the long way around with several loan spells before signing permanently for Arsenal last season.
At Arsenal he has a guaranteed role in the team and a coach who loves him. Martin Odegaard has blossomed into a leader, and wears the captains armband when Alexandre Lacazette isn’t playing.
Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsdale have backed him to be named the permanent captain if Lacazette leaves the club.
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“He [Odegaard] is the future of this club,” Xhaka said.
“He’s already captain when Alexandre Lacazette does not play. He can be very proud of himself. You can see how far he has come in his head, mentally.
“He’s very young, only 23, but in how he behaves and is on the field, he looks like he’s 30, can definitely become Arsenal captain. He has the DNA in him.
“He works as hard every day as if he were in a fight. Everyone in the dressing room listens to him. Why not?”
“If you give the armband it can go one of two ways, you either feel the pressure of the team and football club or it gives you a lift that it gives you an opportunity and lead from the front,” Ramsdale said.
“As much as in interviews I’ve joked about Martin, he was at Real Madrid at 16-17, he’s seen all the best players in the world, he’s the captain of his country and for a 23-year-old, he has literally done everything you can in a short amount of time.”
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“He’s a very calming individual, he might not be the most vocal but you don’t always need your captain to be the most vocal because you could have three or four other leaders who are vocal.
“You could have two or three leaders who are vocal who perform – for him, he’s relished at the chance of wearing the armband. I have no problems with him being our captain.”
