Big hint dropped over next permanent Arsenal captain

One of few moments to savour from the dreadful defeat against Southampton was seeing Martin Odegaard lead Arsenal out as captain for the first time.

In the grand scheme of things, namely the match, it meant little. He also had a poor game. But for a club who stripped their former captain of the armband earlier in the season and handed to over to someone who is due to in a few short weeks, it matters that little bit more.

There is still some uncertainty over whether or not Alexandre Lacazette will be passed fit to start against Chelsea despite returning to training, and if he isn’t then the Norwegian will be granted the honour once more.

When looking for hints as to who the next skipper may be, Kieran Tierney taking over the armband every time Lacazette would leave the field of play was about as clear an indication as one could ask for in regards to who Mikel Arteta had in mind.

Big hint dropped over next permanent Arsenal captain as squad believe Martin Odegaard is in pole position to be the club’s skipper

Despite the Scot more regularly being given the responsibility, he isn’t know for being the typical vocal leader most associate with a captain. Odegaard is not of the Tony Adams or Patrick Vieira ilk either, but he is one of the manager’s most trusted lieutenants, often being ushered over during a break in play to relay tactical notes onto the rest of the team.

And when he’s in the team he is that type of leader. Tactical and technical.

In a young squad it feels somewhat inevitable that one of the younger players will be instilled as the permanent captain when the season concludes, and the Mail’s Adrian Kajumba has revealed that within the Arsenal squad there is an emerging feeling held by some that Odegaard is in pole position to made permanent captain.

Having been captain of his country for over a year now there are no concerns over his credentials, and among the fanbase there is a growing admiration for his many qualities on top of the impression he made during his initial loan spell.

When players within the group begin feeling one way or another about where the armband is going it’s a pretty solid clue to what is going to happen.

But what about Tierney? Surely when the defender returns from injury he will resume his former role? That would make sense, yet his constant battles with injury might be playing in the manager’s mind. After all, Arteta knows better than most how it is to be the captain of this club and barely play. It was the same for a long while with Per Metresacker.

Odegaard has a strong injury record on top of his ability and standing within the club, so this could be another large hint towards where the cursed captain’s armband may be heading.

Fingers are crossed that the curse will finally be lifted, wherever it ends up.