Joleon Lescott has predicted that Declan Rice will become Arsenal captain next season, replacing Martin Odegaard. The former Manchester City and Everton defender believes the England midfielder's consistent availability and performances make him the ideal candidate for the armband.
Rice, who joined Arsenal from West Ham for £105 million in summer 2023, has started all but one Premier League match this season and is part of the club's five-person leadership team. Lescott argued that Odegaard is not guaranteed to start every game, especially if Arsenal target players like Eberechi Eze, while Rice is indispensable.
Speaking on the podcast In The Mixer, Lescott said: 'He is the world's most well-rounded midfielder. I think he'll be the next Arsenal captain. I think he might even be captain next season. Because I don't think Odegaard is guaranteed to start... Declan's gonna play every week.'
Lescott also dismissed vice-captain Bukayo Saka as a captaincy option, citing injury issues and a lack of leadership traits. However, Rice himself has publicly backed Odegaard, calling him 'our leader' and stating in May that he 'wouldn't want anyone else being our captain.'
Arsenal players voted overwhelmingly to keep Odegaard as captain this season. The Norwegian has held the role since 2022 and remains a key figure in Mikel Arteta's squad.
