Arteta pushing Arsenal to sign PL star who could usurp Odegaard as captain

Last season was a challenging one for Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side, with injuries and poor form curtailling any ambition for glory.

Things are looking very different this year, though, as the Gunners sit atop both Premier League and Champions League tables, are through to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup and are gearing up for a League Cup semi-final against cross-city rivals Chelsea.

This season is really starting to feel like the one in which the North Londoners finally get over the line in one or more competitions, and a big reason why is the quality and depth added to the squad in the summer.

Amazingly, it appears as if Arteta and Co want to add even more quality to the squad this year, with reports heavily linking them with a top Premier League star who could even challenge captain Martin Odegaard for the armband.

Arsenal target their next captain

While last season was a tough one for the entire Arsenal team, it felt particularly so for Odegaard.

The Norwegian suffered a pretty significant ankle injury early on, and when he came back into the fold, he looked miles off the pace and shadow of his former mercurial self.

Fortunately, as this season has gone on, the former Real Madrid wonderkid has started to look more like the midfielder who won back-to-back player of the season awards just a couple of years ago.

For example, FBref have ranked the 27-year-old in the top 1% of midfielders in the Premier League for progressive passes, the top 3% for shot-creating actions, the top 6% for assists and more, all per 90.

In other words, so long as he can remain fit, and his upward trajectory continues, his place in the midfield is pretty secure this season.

However, there has always been conjecture over his role as captain, and it now looks like the club are keen to sign someone who could provide him with even more competition for the armband next season.

At least that is according to a recent report from Football Transfers, which claims Arsenal are still interested in Marc Guehi.

In fact, the report has revealed that Arteta is now pushing the club hard to sign the Crystal Palace star when his contract expires in the summer.

However, Liverpool have the same idea, and Manchester City are still pushing for his signature this month.

It could therefore be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Guehi’s immense ability, it’s one Arsenal should fight for, even if he could usurp Odegaard as captain.

Why Guehi could usurp Odegaard as captain

Now, it should be said that there is every chance that Guehi joins Arsenal in the summer and that Odegaard remains captain for the foreseeable future.

After all, his teammates picked him, and Arteta appears happy enough with him in the role.

However, it’s impossible to ignore that his role as club captain has long been a point of contention among sections of the fanbase and certain pundits.

In fact, it was only last year that Mr Arsenal himself stated, “You’re not going to win the league with Odegaard as captain.”

Moreover, the fact that the Norwegian is more of a quiet leader certainly doesn’t help in a sport that has almost always seen the most vocal and imposing characters elevated to leadership positions.

So, with the case against the Drammen-born maestro clear, what is it about Guehi that could see him eventually usurp him for the armband?

Well, first and foremost, he is already the captain of Crystal Palace and has been for some time.

More than that, he was also among the youngest players in the club’s history to lead the team when he was given the chance at just 21 years old in 2022.

As if that wasn’t already impressive enough, the defensive “monster,” as dubbed by journalist Bobby Manzi, is also the only captain in the club’s history to lead them to a major honour: last season’s FA Cup.

It’s not just at club level where the former Chelsea gem has stepped up, though, as he’s now won 26 senior caps, was one of the most crucial players during the 2024 Euros, and is arguably the country’s top centre-back.

Finally, despite being just 25 years old, the Abidjan-born titan has extensive experience.

In addition to his international performances, he has made two appearances for the Blues, 59 for Swansea City and 188 for Palace.

Ultimately, if Arsenal can sign Guehi this summer, they should, even if his arrival could, at some point, lead to a change of captain.

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