Arsenal skipper Martin Ødegaard has hit back at claims from a club legend who suggested to Mikel Arteta that he isn’t the right choice to wear the armband.

Ahead of Sunday’s Premier League opener against Manchester United, Martin Ødegaard responded to Tony Adams’ remarks about his captaincy.

When asked about his leadership style, the Norwegian told Sky Sports:
“It’s difficult to sum up because it’s a lot of small things. For me, being captain isn’t about big speeches—it’s more of a constant role, something you do every day.”

Adams had previously questioned whether Ødegaard was the right man to wear the armband, suggesting Declan Rice might be a better fit:
“I think Declan is my type of captain, and giving him that role could allow Ødegaard to play with more freedom. As a manager, you sometimes need someone who mirrors you, who represents the club and can help you reach the next level. To win league titles, you must be like Klopp or Ferguson—leading by example, setting standards, and reflecting that through your captain.”

Mikel Arteta, however, firmly backed Ødegaard, explaining that the decision came from within the squad itself:
“I asked the players to vote for their captain and the result was clear. By an overwhelming margin, Martin was chosen. That tells you everything about how the team sees him—the one to defend, improve, and help us win the matches we need to win.