Manchester, Aug 15 (NationPress) Following a lackluster season for Martin Odegaard, who made his comeback after an ankle injury, Mikel Arteta has announced that he will remain at the helm as Arsenal's captain. The club's vote confirmed his leadership for the 2025/26 season, with Arteta stating he won 'by a mile'. Arsenal is set to kick off their campaign against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford this Sunday.

“It’s not just my opinion; it’s the consensus of the staff and especially the players. I asked them to vote for the captain, and I received the results yesterday. By a mile, with a significant 100 marks, everyone chose the same individual: Martin Odegaard. This is a clear indication of how the team feels about their captain, who will lead them to defend, improve, and secure victories,” Arteta shared during the pre-match press conference.

This upcoming season may be pivotal for Arteta. After transforming the club from challenging times, Arsenal has finished as runner-ups for three consecutive seasons, raising questions about whether the Spaniard can finally break through.

Arteta emphasized the consistency the club has demonstrated under his leadership and is preparing with the goal of winning firmly in mind.

“You must keep digging. One day, the gold will be there. That’s the lesson I've learned and been taught. Over three seasons, we’ve garnered more points than any other team in this league. It’s remarkable, and that’s our consistency. Now, our aim is to either match or exceed our points and goals from previous seasons. That’s the target,” he concluded.