Mikel Arteta has defended Martin Ødegaard' s captaincy amid criticism from former Arsenal skipper Tony Adams by revealing the players voted overwhelming for him to keep the armband this season.

Adams claimed Arsenal "are not going to win the league with Ødegaard as captain" and called for Arteta to name Declan Rice as skipper instead.

However, Arteta said on Friday the squad had the opportunity to reshuffle the leadership group following the departure of experienced midfielder Jorginho but opted to retain Ødegaard, who has been skipper since 2022.

"My opinion is clear and it is not just my opinion, it is all the staff and especially the players," Arteta told reporters. "I asked them to vote for the captain and I got the results yesterday.

"By a mile, by 100 miles, everybody cho

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