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Irish Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Odegaard responds to Adams' demands for Rice's Arsenal captaincy switch
Martin Odegaard has robustly defended his captaincy at Arsenal following sharp criticism from Tony Adams. The club legend targeted Odegaard, 26, by insisting that the Gunners won't claim the Premier League crown whilst he remains skipper. The former Arsenal captain called on Mikel Arteta to hand the armband to teammate Declan Rice, arguing that such a switch would give Odegaard greater attacking licence. However, Adams won't see his wish fulfilled after the squad emphatically backed the Norwegian to continue as captain for the 2025-26 campaign. Odegaard has now hit back at Adams in an interview before Sunday's season opener away to Manchester United. When quizzed about his leadership approach, the midfielder told Sky Sports: "It's a lot to be fair. It's a lot of small things. It's hard to describe it, it's more like a constant role you do. "There's always these small things you have to do. In general it's just how I see it is to get the best out of the team and how to give the team the right mindset. Help the players around you, get the best mindset in everyone. "I think before the game just on the pitch I do a little one (team talk) and inside the dressing room we have different people talking. It's not just me there's a lot of people sharing the responsibility and the manager does a lot as well. It's a shared thing. It's not just me all the time." (Image: Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) Adams admitted during an event for Irish Independent that Odegaard wasn't his 'kind' of captain. "The call is to make Declan Rice the captain," the ex-Gunners defender began in a plea to Arteta. "I think Declan is my kind of captain, and it might free Odegaard up to play with a bit more freedom. Every now and again as a manager, you have to put someone who reflects you, who reflects the football club that you think can actually take you to the next level. "He (Arteta) has got an opportunity this year to actually turn into a winner. To win league titles, you have to be a [Jurgen] Klopp, you have to be a [Sir Alex] Ferguson. You have to lead by example, you have to be a winner, you have to go about your business. And that reflects in your captain. (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) "And I'm seeing Declan Rice as a captain but I'm saying to Arteta: Come on, step up now. It's your time to be a winning manager and a fantastic manager, because you're not going to win the league with Odegaard as captain." Arteta, though, believes that there's 'no question' that Odegaard should be captain. "Well my opinion is clear and it's not just my opinion, it's all the staff and especially the players." the Gunners boss explained. "I asked them to vote the captain and I got the result yesterday. And by a mile, by a big, big 100 miles, everybody choosing the same person, which is Martin Odegaard, and which is the most clear sign that you can have. "It's how they feel about who has to be their captain to defend, improve and win the matches that we want to win. So I think there's no question about that."
Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Martin Odegaard responds to Arsenal legend who told Mikel Arteta he shouldn't be captain
Arsenal legend Tony Adams made headlines this week by telling Gunners boss Mikel Arteta to strip Martin Odegaard of the captaincy and give the armband to Declan Rice Martin Odegaard has staunchly defended his role as Arsenal captain after stinging criticism from Tony Adams. Club legend Adams took aim at Odegaard, 26, by claiming that the Gunners won't win the Premier League title so long as he's captain. The former Arsenal skipper urged Mikel Arteta to give the armband to team-mate Declan Rice, suggesting that the change would allow Odegaard to play with more freedom. But Adams won't get his way after the squad overwhelming voted for the Norwegian to remain as captain for the 2025-26 season. Now Odegaard has responded to Adams in an interview ahead of Sunday's curtain-raiser away to Manchester United. Asked about his style of leadership, the midfielder explained to Sky Sports: "It's a lot to be fair. It's a lot of small things. It's hard to describe it, it's more like a constant role you do. "There's always these small things you have to do. In general it's just how I see it is to get the best out of the team and how to give the team the right mindset. Help the players around you, get the best mindset in everyone. "I think before the game just on the pitch I do a little one (team talk) and inside the dressing room we have different people talking. It's not just me there's a lot of people sharing the responsibility and the manager does a lot as well. It's a shared thing. It's not just me all the time." Adams admitted during an event for Irish Independent that Odegaard wasn't his 'kind' of captain. "The call is to make Declan Rice the captain," the ex-Gunners defender began in a plea to Arteta. "I think Declan is my kind of captain, and it might free Odegaard up to play with a bit more freedom. Every now and again as a manager, you have to put someone who reflects you, who reflects the football club that you think can actually take you to the next level. "He (Arteta) has got an opportunity this year to actually turn into a winner. To win league titles, you have to be a [Jurgen] Klopp, you have to be a [Sir Alex] Ferguson. You have to lead by example, you have to be a winner, you have to go about your business. And that reflects in your captain. "And I'm seeing Declan Rice as a captain but I'm saying to Arteta: Come on, step up now. It's your time to be a winning manager and a fantastic manager, because you're not going to win the league with Odegaard as captain." Arteta, though, believes that there's 'no question' that Odegaard should be captain. "Well my opinion is clear and it's not just my opinion, it's all the staff and especially the players." the Gunners boss explained. "I asked them to vote the captain and I got the result yesterday. And by a mile, by a big, big 100 miles, everybody choosing the same person, which is Martin Odegaard, and which is the most clear sign that you can have. "It's how they feel about who has to be their captain to defend, improve and win the matches that we want to win. So I think there's no question about that."
Daily Mirror
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal's '11 unhappy players' claim as Viktor Gyokeres gets warning over three team-mates
Viktor Gyokeres may have set Arsenal back over £63million but the striker is not guaranteed a place in Mikel Arteta's starting lineup, according to an ex-Gunners star Mikel Arteta has been told he'll have the hardest job of his career this season handling his new and improved Arsenal squad. The Spaniard has spent over £200million so far in the summer transfer window as he looks to bolster his team in order to finally clinch Premier League and Champions League glory. The signing of Viktor Gyokeres is the latest addition to the north London side and one that fans will hope will rectify their striker issues. The Swede - who will don the famous number 14 for his new club - scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting CP and arrives with high expectations to fire Arsenal to silverware. Despite the fanfare surrounding the 27-year-old, his place at the centre of Arteta 's attack will not come without serious competition. Former Arsenal midfielder, Anders Limpar, has warned him that the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, and Mikel Merino will keep the Swedish international on his toes should he struggle to get off to a flying start. Speaking to AceOdds, he said: "It's still pre-season and everything can happen, but Gyokeres is going to compete with Gabriel Jesus first of all. Kai Havertz is a very intelligent and good player, and he can play in the number nine role as well of course, and we have even seen Merino play in that role. "So, in my opinion Arteta got four players to compete for the number nine position, but when you sign a player in that calibre and for that kind of money, you will obviously start him," said Limpar who spent four years at Highbury. "But it's up to Gyokeres to score goals and produce good chances, because he is not guaranteed a place in the starting lineup, but Arteta wants a hell of a team to compete for the Premier League title and reach the Champions League final." Arteta has succeeded in introducing more quality within his squad but with that comes difficulties said Limpar who admitted the Gunners boss will have to juggle 11 unhappy players in his team who'll grow frustrated due to their lack of action. "He needs 22 good players to win big trophies, and now he has four very good options for the number nine role," he added. "For Arteta it won't be a problem, but for the players it will be a problem, and to have so many stars, it will be a hell of a dressing room if only 11 players can play. "Then he will have maybe 10 or 11 unhappy players, and to cope with that is the hardest thing there is for a manager. The hardest thing for a manager at a top club is to cope with 20 superstars, but he wants the best players and then it's up to Arteta to pick the best players." Given Arsenal's long-standing chase for Gyokeres' signature, it's obvious how much they think of him as Arteta pinpointed exactly what makes him special when discussing the completion of the transfer. "We're absolutely delighted to welcome Viktor Gyökeres to the club," he said. "The consistency he has shown in his performances and availability have been outstanding, and his goal contributions speak for themselves. Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels. "He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat. We're excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to start working with him. We welcome Viktor and his family to Arsenal."
Metro
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Ex-Arsenal star set for Premier League return after Ramsdale and Xhaka
Yet another former Arsenal player could make a surprise transfer back to the Premier League following Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsdale. Mikel Arteta has been busy this summer spending just shy of £200million on six new players, including Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke. There could yet be more incomings at the Emirates but this transfer window has also seen several notable ex-Gunners make high-profile moves. Former club captain Xhaka is set to join newly-promoted Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £17m. The Swiss midfielder only left north London two years ago and achieved great success in Germany, leading Leverkusen to an invincible league and cup double. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Meanwhile, Ramsdale has reportedly said yes to joining Newcastle, with the Magpies now working on the terms of a transfer with Southampton. The England goalkeeper, who only left the Emirates last summer, is available for £20m thanks to a relegation release clause, but could move to St. James' Park on a loan deal. Now, a third player Arteta recently got rid of could be heading back to England, as Sky Sports report that Everton are interested in signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The former Three Lions star spent two decades at Arsenal and started the 2020 FA Cup final victory, the last time the club won a major trophy. Capable of playing at full-back and defensive midfield, he struggled to keep his place in the first-team under Arteta and after multiple loan spells, he was released in 2023 and subsequently joined Lyon. It is said Maitland-Niles, who has two years left on his contract with the French club, is open to returning to the Premier League. More Trending Everton boss David Moyes is an admirer of the 27-year-old and is desperate for new signings, recently telling The Athletic: 'I would hope by the time we get to the end of the window, we'd be closer to 10 [new players]. So you can imagine the amount of work we've got to do. 'The club are trying really hard to get the players I want and I've found it really difficult because in my last few years [in his previous job at West Ham], I've been involved in European competition. 'It's a bit easier when you're a club in Europe. You get a better chance of attracting a lot of players. 'We've been in for a lot of really good players. Unfortunately, a lot them have said no at the moment.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Chelsea preparing opening transfer bid to beat Arsenal to £60m star MORE: William Saliba warns Premier League rivals over 'scary' Arsenal signing MORE: Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak rejects £96m transfer offer after Liverpool talks
Irish Daily Mirror
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Newcastle goalkeeper talks provide timely boost for Ireland star Gavin Bazunu
Gavin Bazunu's hopes of returning to regular first-team football this season with Southampton could be boosted - if Newcastle United get their way. The Toon Army have opened talks with the Saints for former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. Eddie Howe is looking to bolster his goalkeeping options and is reeling from missing out on James Trafford, with the Burnley netminder on his way back to Manchester City in a €30million move. And he has targeted ex-Gunners, Bournemouth and Sheffield United man Ramsdale, who moved to Southampton last summer on a four-year deal. Ramsdale's Premier League experience - he has played over 180 games in the top-flight - has made him a target in a proposed loan move, with an option to buy. He made 30 appearances for the Saints last season as they suffered relegation back to the Championship. The Newcastle boss wants Ramsdale, who played under Howe at Bournemouth, on board to challenge Nick Pope for the number one spot. His departure from Southampton would give Ireland star Bazunu a huge boost in his bid to return to the first-team on a regular basis at St Mary's. He has shared the goalkeeping duties with Ramsdale and Alex McCarthy so far in pre-season, with Ramsdale leading the way so far in minutes played. The Newcastle target has completed 210 minutes across friendlies against Espanyol, Valenciennes and Gillingham, and has started those three games. Both Bazunu and McCarthy have 150 minutes each under their belts so far in pre-season, with Southampton's next fixture being the visit of Brighton on Saturday. Bazunu's minutes have come against Castellon (45 minutes), Gillingham (60) and Eastleigh (45). He spoke last week about his prospects for the upcoming season, saying: 'I'm not sure how much of it's going to be in my hands, but I'm ready to play, and I'm hoping to play here. 'All we can do is take these opportunities we get to play and just show what we can do, really. It's nice to be back out there getting minutes again. 'To be able to start from the very start with the lads and to be able to get minutes in the games and train every day is really important.' If Newcastle are successful in their pursuit of Ramsdale, Bazunu's prospects of a return to regular action at Southampton will improve dramatically. He has received plenty of praise for his performances so far in pre-season, with reports on the Saints website claiming that he made 'a miraculous save' in the friendly against Castellon. It continued: 'A teasing cross from the left was met by Ousmane Camara at the far post, who must have thought he'd scored when he headed the ball down from six yards, but Bazunu's outstretched right foot denied the striker.' He made a hat-trick of noteworthy stops in his 45 minutes against the Spanish Liga 2 side. Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
