London, UK – Arsenal have officially confirmed that Martin Ødegaard will continue to wear the captain’s armband for the 2025/26 season following a unanimous vote by both the squad and coaching staff. The Norwegian playmaker, who has been at the heart of Arsenal’s transformation under manager Mikel Arteta, remains a pivotal figure both on and off the pitch.
A Vote of Confidence
The decision came after Arsenal held an internal vote, allowing players and staff to have a say in determining who should lead the team into another challenging Premier League and European campaign. Sources inside the club describe the vote as “overwhelmingly” in Ødegaard’s favour, with several teammates praising his leadership style, professionalism, and composure.
Ødegaard, 26, first took over the captaincy in August 2022, succeeding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette in the leadership role. His calm demeanor, tactical intelligence, and work ethic have made him one of the most respected players in the dressing room.
Mikel Arteta’s Endorsement
Speaking to the club’s official media, Mikel Arteta expressed his delight at the decision:
“Martin is the embodiment of what we want Arsenal to represent. He is humble, hard-working, and always puts the team first. The players respect him, the fans love him, and the staff trust him. Having the dressing room and coaching team united in this choice shows how important he is to our journey.”
“Martin is the embodiment of what we want Arsenal to represent. He is humble, hard-working, and always puts the team first. The players respect him, the fans love him, and the staff trust him. Having the dressing room and coaching team united in this choice shows how important he is to our journey.”
Arteta also noted that Ødegaard’s leadership extends far beyond matchdays, highlighting his role in mentoring younger players and setting standards in training.
On-Field Influence
Ødegaard’s impact last season was undeniable. He contributed 11 goals and 9 assists in all competitions, often dictating the tempo in Arsenal’s midfield. His vision and ability to break defensive lines with precise passes have been key to the Gunners’ attacking style.
One of his most memorable moments came in Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Liverpool at the Emirates, where his leadership and composure in the final minutes helped secure all three points in a title race that went down to the wire.
Fans React
News of Ødegaard’s continued captaincy has been warmly received by Arsenal supporters. Social media was flooded with congratulatory messages, with many fans noting that he has “Arsenal DNA” despite arriving from Real Madrid only a few years ago.
One fan tweeted:
“Ødegaard isn’t just our captain; he’s our conductor, our heartbeat. This is the best decision Arsenal could make going into the new season.”
“Ødegaard isn’t just our captain; he’s our conductor, our heartbeat. This is the best decision Arsenal could make going into the new season.”
Building Towards 2025/26 Ambitions
With the Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cups all on the horizon, Arsenal will need strong leadership to navigate a packed fixture schedule. Ødegaard’s relationship with key players like Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Gabriel Jesus will be crucial in maintaining squad harmony and focus.
The club has also strengthened the squad during the summer transfer window, and Ødegaard is expected to play a major role in integrating new signings into Arteta’s tactical system.
Ødegaard’s Reaction
In a statement released via Arsenal’s social media channels, Ødegaard said:
“It’s an incredible honour to be trusted with the captain’s armband again. Arsenal is more than a club to me – it’s home. I’ll continue to give everything on and off the pitch to make our fans proud and to help us achieve our goals.”
“It’s an incredible honour to be trusted with the captain’s armband again. Arsenal is more than a club to me – it’s home. I’ll continue to give everything on and off the pitch to make our fans proud and to help us achieve our goals.”
If the unity behind his captaincy vote is any indication, Arsenal’s dressing room is aligned and ready for the challenges ahead. And with Martin Ødegaard at the helm, the club will hope this season brings not only progress but also the long-awaited trophies that the North London faithful crave