Mikel Arteta is facing growing calls to hand the Arsenal captaincy to midfield powerhouse Declan Rice, following another commanding performance that has sparked a major leadership debate.
Leadership Debate Ignited After Bayern Victory
The conversation was ignited after Arsenal's impressive 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich in midweek, a match played largely without club captain Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian midfielder, 26, made the matchday squad for the first time since October 4 but was limited to a brief nine-minute cameo.
In Odegaard's continued absence, the armband has been with Bukayo Saka, but it is Rice's influence that is capturing the headlines and the admiration of fans and pundits alike.
Rice Hailed as 'Monster Performance' Drives Calls for Captaincy
Rice's display against the German giants was nothing short of dominant, earning him a 9/10 rating and the label of 'star player' from The Standard. The publication praised the England international, writing that he "rose to the occasion, as he so often does for a big game" and delivered a "monster performance."
His impact was not limited to his technical ability. It was his visible leadership on the pitch that has become a central point of discussion, with Rice even taking the captain's armband for a short period following Saka's substitution.
Morgan and Bothroyd Lead the Charge for Change
Outspoken broadcaster and Arsenal fan Piers Morgan was quick to voice his opinion on the matter. Taking to social media, Morgan made a bold statement, suggesting the captaincy should be reassigned despite his respect for the current skipper.
"Declan Rice captained Arsenal for the first time last night [was actually Rice’s second], albeit only for a few minutes," Morgan wrote. "I say this with no disrespect to Martin Odegaard, a wonderful player and great guy, but Declan Rice should now be our club captain. He’s our real leader, and we all know it."
His sentiments were powerfully echoed by former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd on Sky Sports. The ex-Arsenal youth player, who had spells at QPR and Charlton Athletic, was effusive in his praise for Rice's development and leadership qualities.
"I can’t even tell you how good Declan Rice is," Bothroyd stated. "He’s world class. He’s one of the best number 8s in the world right now... As much as Odegaard is captain, and I respect that, Rice is like the unannounced captain."
Bothroyd highlighted a key moment from the Bayern match, noting, "Arsenal didn’t start that well. Bayern Munich were on top for a large period of the game in the first half and it was Rice who got everyone geed up. He started making tackles, driving the team forward... That’s the kind of player that I would want to see as my captain if I was playing."
The pressure is now on manager Mikel Arteta to decide if his current captaincy structure reflects the emerging leadership dynamics within his squad, with Declan Rice making an undeniable case for the armband.
