Former Liverpool star, Mark Lawrenson, has asked Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, to name a new captain for the Gunners following their 1-0 home defeat to PSG in the UEFA Champions League semi-final, first-leg.
Lawrenson said Arteta should take away the captain’s armband from Martin Odegaard.
The football pundit also rated the Norwegian midfielder’s performance – a ‘six’ out of 10 this season.
The former football star believes stripping Odegaard of the captaincy will help the midfielder focus on his own performance.
Speaking to Paddy Power (via Mirror), he said, “The captain’s armband should be taken away from Martin Odegaard, so he can get back to focusing on his performances.
“We all know that he’s a good player, but he’s just had a six out of 10 season.”
Arsenal could make the final of this season’s Champions League if they are able to beat Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg in Paris next week.
The Gunners suffered a slim defeat in the hands of the Parisans last week in front of their fans at the Emirates Stadium, north London.
Norwagian midfielder, Odegaard is considered one of the most important levers in Arsenal’s system.
An improvement in his performance will help the Gunners add more firepower in attack.
Lawrenson wants Arteta to name Declan Rice as the new captain for Arsenal saying the Englishman is the perfect candidate to lead the side.
In 2023, Rice led West Ham United to the UEFA Europa Conference League title.
“If you gave Declan Rice the armband instead, you imagine that it wouldn’t affect his performances, especially considering he was captain at West Ham. I’d give it to Rice so Odegaard can focus on improving his performances,” he said.
