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Martin Odegaard is currently leading Arsenal in their hunt for a Premier League title but the Norwegian has been told he could be replaced by a team-mate as captain next season
Declan Rice is destined to become Arsenal captain next year, according to Joleon Lescott. The England international has established himself as an indispensable figure in the Gunners' title challenges in recent seasons.
Following his £105million transfer from West Ham during the summer of 2023, the 26-year-old has become an automatic selection for Mikel Arteta. This season alone he has featured in the starting XI for all bar one Premier League clash.
Currently, the armband belongs to Martin Odegaard, who was appointed Arsenal captain in 2022 and has held the honour since. Players voted overwhelmingly this year to retain him as club captain.
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Yet former Manchester City and Everton centre-back Lescott believes Rice, who sits on the five-member leadership group at the Emirates, could succeed the Norwegian as soon as next term.
"He [Rice] is the world's most well-rounded midfielder," Lescott remarked on In The Mixer brought to you by Sky Bet. "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 when [Eberechi] Eze is performing at a level like he is now.
"So I think it'll get to a point... Declan's gonna play every week. It comes down to him as a player but there's also not a replacement version of him.
"That's probably the one player Arsenal have not bought a replacement for. So I don't think you can rest him. Maybe only in FA Cup games!"
When Odegaard is absent, vice-captain Bukayo Saka steps up to wear the armband. Yet Lescott questions whether the winger has the necessary leadership qualities particularly given his own fitness concerns similar to those of Odegaard.
"He [Saka] is not a captain," Lescott continued. "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."
Whilst some supporters have advocated for Rice to be handed the captaincy at the Emirates, the midfielder himself was quick to defend Odegaard's credentials when asked about the matter back in May.
"He [Odegaard] is our leader. He's our captain," Rice stated. "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 in terms of how he lives his life.
"He's got the full respect of the dressing room, the way he demands, the way he drives the team, the way he speaks. You wouldn't see him as that type of character, but he really is behind the scenes. He's been amazing for us and I wouldn't want anyone else being our captain. I think the lads feel the same way about that as well."
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