– I have no problem with him being our captain, says Ramsdale in David Seaman’s podcast. He thus gives his support to the Norwegian before Arteta is expected to announce the captain’s choice within a short time. Martin Ødegaard has gone from occasionally sitting on the Arsenal bench to becoming a leading figure, both on and off the pitch, in the space of half a year. – A very calm person Now, Ødegaard is the favorite to be named the new Arsenal captain. Ramsdale believes that the Norwegian profile has many of the necessary characteristics. – He is a very calm person, he may not be the most vocal, but you don’t always need your captain to be the most vocal, because you can have three or four other types of leaders in the dressing room who are vocal, he believes. Aaron Ramsdale praises Ødegaard. Photo: ANDREW COULDRIDGE / Reuters Ramsdale points out that Ødegaard also has the necessary experience. – He was at Real Madrid at a young age, he has played with many of the best players in the world, he is the captain of his country and for a 23-year-old he has literally done everything you can in a short time, says the goalkeeper. – But he doesn’t just enjoy respect because of where he’s been and what he’s done, he’s a first-class footballer, and I feel very lucky to have him in my team, he adds. Mikel Arteta will soon announce his choice of captain. Photo: LUKAS BARTH / Reuters Reveals special treatment Ramsdale has also talked about Ødegaard in Peter Crouch’s podcast. There he revealed that the Norwegian and manager Mikel Arteta have a special relationship. – I have no idea what they are talking about, because they speak Spanish together. The day after a match, Arteta usually speaks English with most people, with the exception of those who struggle with English. But Martin speaks perfect English, and yet they talk to each other in Spanish, says Ramsdale. After the training match against Chelsea, a sensational situation arose after the end of the match. Ødegaard was replaced after 78 minutes, which meant that Mohamed Elneny took over the captain’s armband in the last minute. But when the match was over, Elneny went straight to Ødegaard and slipped the captain’s armband back onto the Norwegian’s arm. The gesture speaks its own clear language. Ødegaard’s increasing position in Arsenal is well noticed here at home as well. – He is a player who enjoys great trust from Mikel Arteta and seems to be a popular figure in Arsenal’s dressing room, says Kasper Wikestad, football commentator for Viaplay. Marquinhos did not hide his admiration for Ødegaard after a recent training match. The Brazilian posted this on Instagram. Photo: Screenshot Instagram At the start of the season last year, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had the captaincy, before Alexandre Lacazette took over, but both players are now away from the club. On the eve of the Premier League season, it was the Norwegian who took on the role with considerable responsibility. He is still in the running, but the club has not yet wanted to confirm who the new captain will be. – Martin has many of the qualities we want in a captain, Mikel Arteta told The Athletic. There he said that the new captain will be decided in the next few weeks. Impressed in adversity The 23-year-old made an impression on the Arsenal coach with his attitude and the way he stood up in a time of adversity and little playing time. – His attitudes were fantastic. It made me think that this is a boy who put the team before himself, and a captain is always forced to do that, Arteta told the British website. Photo: SHAUN BOTTERILL / Reuters – He was the first to come to training and the last to leave. He asked about – why he didn’t play and what he had to do – he listened, and always stood up for his teammates, explains the Arsenal coach. In an interview with BBC Sports, Ødegaard said that his leadership qualities have developed over time and that he has gained more experience. – I have been through a lot, both ups and downs, and I think it makes you stronger, said Ødegaard. Wikestad thinks it is a “natural choice” that Ødegaard could become the next Arsenal captain. – He has come in, played very well and became a leading figure in the new wave of players coming from Arsenal. Despite Ødegaard’s young age, he has already been involved in a lot, says Wikestad. Honorable mission Should Ødegaard be chosen as captain, he will join a star-studded line-up, including Cesc Fàbregas, Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie. – If you’re captain at Arsenal, you’re right up there, and being a central piece offensively in such an enormously large club like Arsenal. They are considered the “big six” in the Premier League and are a club expected to fight up there, says Wikestad. Kasper Wikestad. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB Ødegaard is known for being a goalscorer, but only scored four goals last year. Nevertheless, he excelled among the best in chance statistics (fact box at the bottom of the case), right behind big names such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bruno Fernandes and Kevin De Bruyne. – Player-wise, he is among the players who create the most in the Premier League, he ticks the vast majority of boxes there, says Wikestad. – He has a look, a passing foot, and all those things from the top shelf. He is definitely a key in Arsenal’s offensive game. With Gabriel Jesus and Vieira it might look even better this season, says Wikestad. Arsenal play the first game of the upcoming Premier League season on Friday 5 August, kick-off at 9pm. Chance statistics, Premier League 21/22 Trent Alexander-Arnold: 90 Bruno Fernandes: 89 Kevin de Bruyne: 87 Martin Ødegaard: 77 Source: Premier League
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