As Arsenal continue their fierce pursuit of the Premier League title, a major leadership debate has been ignited by former England defender Joleon Lescott. He has boldly predicted that midfield powerhouse Declan Rice will take over the captain's armband from Martin Odegaard as early as next season.
Lescott's Captaincy Verdict
Speaking on the In The Mixer podcast, Lescott made a compelling case for Rice's promotion. "I think he'll be the next Arsenal captain," Lescott stated. "I think he might even be captain next season." The ex-Manchester City star's reasoning hinges on consistency and availability, qualities he feels Rice embodies more than the current skipper.
Lescott pointed to the form of attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze as a potential threat to Odegaard's guaranteed starting position. "Because I don't think Odegaard is guaranteed to start when Eze is performing at a level like he is now," he argued. In contrast, he views the £105 million man, Rice, as utterly indispensable. "Declan's gonna play every week... there's also not a replacement version of him. That's probably the one player Arsenal have not bought a replacement for."
The Current Leadership Landscape
Martin Odegaard was appointed Arsenal captain in 2022 and, in a reported landslide vote, was reaffirmed by his teammates this year. His vice-captain is star winger Bukayo Saka, who assumes the role when the Norwegian is absent. However, Lescott dismissed Saka's suitability for the permanent role, citing his own injury concerns.
"He [Saka] is not a captain," Lescott added. "Again he misses games. But with Declan just on availability alone he's like, 'I'm gonna be there.' I would say that would warrant him being captain." Rice is already a key member of the club's five-person leadership group, underscoring his influence within the Emirates dressing room.
Rice's Loyal Defence of Odegaard
Despite the growing external chatter, Declan Rice himself has been unequivocal in his support for the current captain. When questioned about the captaincy in May, the 26-year-old was effusive in his praise for Odegaard.
"He is our leader. He's our captain," Rice insisted. "He trains every single day, he plays every minute of every game. He's one of the best lads I've seen away from the pitch... He's got the full respect of the dressing room... I wouldn't want anyone else being our captain. I think the lads feel the same way about that as well."
This leaves manager Mikel Arteta with a fascinating dynamic to manage. While his squad publicly backs Odegaard, the compelling arguments about Rice's durability and central importance, as highlighted by Lescott, will likely fuel speculation throughout the campaign and into the summer.
