Arsenal's leadership qualities have been thrust into the spotlight following their recent Premier League victory, with two key midfielders earning significant praise.
Rooney Touts Rice for England Armband
Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney has publicly endorsed Declan Rice as the natural successor to Harry Kane as captain of the national team. Rooney's comments came after watching Rice's commanding performance in Arsenal's 1-0 win away at Everton last weekend.
Speaking on BBC Sport's The Wayne Rooney Show, the former striker was effusive in his praise. "I have to say Declan Rice is incredible, it was a pleasure to watch. He was by far the best player on the pitch," Rooney stated. "For me, he’s the future captain of England. He’s the one who’s probably waiting for Harry to hang up his boots at some point."
Rooney highlighted the 26-year-old's all-action display and leadership potential, noting his decision-making, positional intelligence, and drive. Rice, who has 72 senior caps, has already worn the captain's armband twice for England, most recently in the 3-0 win over Wales in October 2025.
Arteta Defends Odegaard's Captaincy
While Rice receives plaudits for his future prospects, current Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard has been defended by manager Mikel Arteta. The Norwegian playmaker's leadership was questioned after he allowed striker Viktor Gyokeres to take a penalty during the Everton match, a decision Arteta hailed as a sign of strength.
"They took ownership on the pitch between Martin and Bukayo [Saka] and him to decide who was the taker," Arteta explained post-match. "They made a great decision because Viktor put the ball in the back of the net."
When asked if this demonstrated Odegaard's leadership, Arteta was unequivocal. "Yes I agree with that. And as well the confidence in the player [Gyokeres] because obviously he practices every day. He's unbelievable at it... I love when players take ownership and decide what is the best decision. That's something really positive."
Gunners Target Cup Progress Amid Title Charge
The discussion around leadership comes as Arsenal prepare for a busy period. The team hosts Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night, aiming to reach the semi-finals of a competition they last won in 1993.
Arteta's squad remains in contention for all four major trophies this season. Their gritty win at Goodison Park, secured via a late own goal after a poor showing against Wolves, kept them two points clear of Manchester City at the Premier League summit. They face Brighton in the league this weekend.
The internal leadership dynamics, with Odegaard currently captaining the side and Rice being tipped for future honours, appear to be a source of strength as Arsenal navigate a demanding campaign on multiple fronts.
