Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has enjoyed widespread support from the fanbase since taking on the armband in 2022. Under Mikel Arteta’s guidance, the Norwegian midfielder quickly became a symbol of Arsenal’s new era — calm, technically proficient, and tactically intelligent. But as the 2024/25 season enters its crucial stages, questions are starting to arise about his form and leadership.
Last season, Odegaard played a key role in Arsenal’s title push, delivering goals, assists, and commanding performances from midfield. His influence was vital, both in and out of possession. He led by example, dictating the pace and structure of Arsenal’s build-up play while often popping up with vital contributions in the final third.
However, the current campaign has not followed the same script. With Arsenal failing to maintain their consistency and now slipping out of the Premier League title race, frustrations have begun to grow. Liverpool’s recent title confirmation has only sharpened the spotlight on Arsenal’s shortcomings — and Odegaard, as captain, is firmly in that glare.
The tipping point for many supporters seems to have been the recent 1-0 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final. In what was expected to be a defining night at the Emirates, Arsenal looked flat and uninspired. Odegaard, in particular, struggled to impose himself on the game, and fans noticed.
According to a report by Football Insider, a portion of the Arsenal fanbase is now calling for a change in captaincy. Some believe that Odegaard, despite his technical brilliance, lacks the vocal leadership and assertiveness needed to carry the team through high-pressure moments — especially when results turn sour.
The criticism has divided opinions on social media. While a vocal minority argues that someone like Declan Rice or Gabriel Magalhães might offer more visible leadership traits, others have rushed to defend Odegaard, highlighting his intelligence, positional discipline, and unwavering professionalism.
One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, “Odegaard is a fantastic player, but we need someone who screams, rallies the troops, and demands more. That’s what champions do.” Another countered, “Let’s not forget who guided us through our best season in years. The issue isn’t the captain – it’s the collective form.”
It’s important to note that Odegaard’s leadership has never been built on volume or aggression. He is not a Roy Keane or a Patrick Vieira type. Instead, his influence is often subtle — controlling tempo, making the right decisions under pressure, and staying composed during chaos. These are traits Mikel Arteta clearly values highly.
Yet, in big matches, when the margins are razor-thin, fans often look for more than subtlety. They want their captain to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Against PSG, that fire was missing — and in the absence of an emotional lift, the team faltered.
Despite the noise around him, Odegaard continues to carry himself with grace. He has not responded to the criticism publicly, instead focusing on training and preparation for the massive return leg in Paris. This second leg offers him a golden opportunity to silence his doubters and remind the footballing world why Arteta trusted him with the armband.
Leadership, after all, isn’t just about shouting. It’s about resilience. It’s about standing tall in moments of adversity. It’s about taking responsibility when the team is down and showing character when the pressure mounts. This moment could define Odegaard’s legacy at Arsenal.
Arteta, for his part, has shown no signs of wavering in his support. Speaking after the PSG defeat, he said, “We win and lose as a team. Martin is a top professional, and he’ll respond like he always does — on the pitch.” That endorsement suggests there won’t be a captaincy change any time soon.
However, if performances don’t improve and Arsenal fail to reach the Champions League final, the debate will only intensify. Fans are passionate, and while some frustrations are short-term reactions to a dip in form, others may point to a broader concern about the club’s leadership structure moving forward.
Still, context matters. Odegaard is only 26, and he’s already shown maturity beyond his years. The weight of expectations at a club like Arsenal is immense, and the fact that his leadership is under such scrutiny shows just how high the bar has been set during his captaincy.
In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on him. Arsenal travel to Paris needing a strong performance. If Odegaard can deliver — with or without goals — he will go a long way in restoring belief, not just in his leadership, but in Arsenal’s future on the biggest stage.
This is a defining chapter in Martin Odegaard’s Arsenal story. Whether he emerges as a stronger leader or succumbs to the pressure remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: he has the talent, the temperament, and now, the challenge that every great captain must face.
