Martin Odegaard Responds to Tony Adams’ Arsenal Captaincy Criticism

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard says he “doesn’t care” about criticism from club legend Tony Adams, who recently suggested the armband should be given to Declan Rice instead.

Odegaard Responds To Tony Adams Criticism

Speaking at a Norway press conference during the international break, Odegaard was asked about Adams’ claim that he is not the right leader for Arsenal.

“I don’t care that much, to be honest,” the 26-year-old midfielder said. “Everyone can have their opinion and say what they want, and I’m all right with that. I can’t care about what everyone says.

“There’s a lot of negative and positive things to say, but I can’t let it affect me. That’s what I’ve thought throughout my career.”

Odegaard has been Arsenal captain since 2022 and has now made over 200 appearances for the club. He also wears the armband for Norway, having first been appointed national team captain in March 2021.

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What Tony Adams Said About Odegaard

Tony Adams, who captained Arsenal to three separate league title wins, voiced his concerns at an event in Dublin last month.

He argued that Rice, rather than Odegaard, would be a better leader for Mikel Arteta’s side.

“You’ve got someone in there who’s going to play every game all season, that’s going to encourage people to come in and lay the foundations of a title-winning team. Declan Rice can do that, Odegaard can’t. Come on Arteta, make him captain,” Adams said.

Arsenal Squad Voted Odegaard as Captain

Despite the criticism, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed that the players themselves voted for Odegaard to continue as captain this season — and that he won “by a mile.”

“That’s right, we voted for it,” Odegaard confirmed. “Ultimately, it was his (Arteta’s) choice anyway. But it was a nice confirmation for me.”

Arteta’s trust in Odegaard dates back to his initial loan spell from Real Madrid in 2021, when the Norwegian midfielder was already seen as a leader on the pitch.

Odegaard Injury Update

While some questioned his leadership during a dip in form last season, Odegaard has prioritised improving his performances over worrying about the armband.

He suffered a shoulder injury in Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leeds in August, forcing him off early.

However, he returned with a 20-minute cameo in the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool and played the first half of Norway’s recent 1-0 win over Finland.

“It hurt a lot, but now I got it under control and I feel ready,” he said about the injury. “The club obviously wanted me for Liverpool, and my only job was to get ready.”

Norway continue their World Cup qualifying campaign against Moldova on Tuesday, September 9.

Arsenal then return to Premier League action with a home game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, September 13.