BREAKING NEWS: ‘It’s time we stripped him of the captain’s armband, otherwise Arsenal will go trophy-less like last season’: Man United legend urges Arteta to strip Martin Ødegaard. His captaincy role, and provide it One Arsenal player, if they truly want to win Titles

Arsenal’s current captaincy situation has come under scrutiny, with club legend Emmanuel Petit suggesting a change is in order. Despite Martin Odegaard wearing the armband for the 2022/23 season, Petit believes it’s time for Mikel Arteta to consider delegating the role to another player within the squad. Specifically, Petit advocates for Declan Rice, highlighting his standout performance against Liverpool, which contributed to Arsenal’s 3-1 victory last Sunday. Petit lauds Rice’s qualities and impact on the pitch, suggesting that he embodies the leadership qualities needed to steer Arsenal forward.

Rice’s seamless integration into the team following his £105 million transfer from West Ham United last summer hasn’t gone unnoticed. The 25-year-old midfielder has been a standout performer, earning accolades as one of the Premier League’s top players of the season. Petit is particularly impressed by Rice’s leadership attributes, citing his character and influence in pivotal matches. Rice’s experience as a former captain at West Ham, where he led the team to Europa Conference League success, further strengthens Petit’s argument for him to assume the captaincy at Arsenal.

With 23 league appearances and three crucial goals to his name since joining Arsenal, Rice has demonstrated his worth both on and off the pitch. Petit believes that appointing Rice as captain would not only recognize his contributions but also provide Arsenal with a leader who can inspire and guide the team to success. As Arsenal aims to close the gap on their rivals and elevate their performance, Petit sees Rice as the ideal candidate to lead the charge and instill a winning mentality within the squad.