Could Saka be Arsenal’s next captain?
For me this season, Bukayo Saka started off a little shaky, and because I know how good he is as a player, my standards are pretty high for the 22-year-old right winger and sometimes I forget that he’s still so young because of how mature he has become since breaking into the first team. But since the new year, he’s looked back to his old self and looks filled with confidence and composure again.
I understand Martin Odegaard was picked as captain for a reason and his leadership has been great this season, Mikel Arteta clearly trusts him to lead this group and you can see that it’s done a lot for his game. Some players can’t take the heat of being a captain and their form can dip because of the pressure that’s put on their shoulder, especially at a big club like Arsenal, but Odegaard has looked to take it in his stride and has grown because of it.
And I’m not saying, “take the armband off Odegaard and give it to Saka”, because I actually don’t think Saka is 100% ready for that right now, but as a homegrown player who clear bleeds Red and White and has so much love for the club, could you see him as the future captain of Arsenal?
Personally, I think yes, and I can’t see anyone else who could do it or would deserve to do it more. I’d love nothing more than to see Saka be a one club man for his entire career and be able to win everything. He has helped to take this club back to where it belongs and as a homegrown talent, I think he would want nothing more than to do that at Arsenal.
But I do worry that their might come a time when offers will come in for Saka and I know it sounds a bit ridiculous now because he clearly bleeds red and white but you never know in football, there’s players who have grown up at clubs, supported them their whole life and played 90% of their career at a club and one day just up and leave. If Arsenal don’t get the type of achievements we all hope they do, that’s always going to be a possibility.
But something that I do think would persuade Saka to stay and continue at Arsenal would be that armband. He’s a passionate player and wears his heart on his sleeve and I think to him, that would be one of the highest honours and if you had to pick anyone but Odegaard right now, it would be Saka, wouldn’t it?
He’s maturing every year and is not one of the young boys anymore, at least not mentally. I’d love to see him wear the armband in the future for this great club.
What’s your thoughts Gooners?
Daisy Mae
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Any talk of a new captain can wait until Ødegaard leaves, which hopefully is a long time off.
Saka is a great example of a bright football player who is more than able to address the media and make a good captain. I am not convinced there will be a vacancy any time soon Odegaard is doing a marvellous job
OT Having pulled out of the England friendlies, I hope the injury isn’t too serious
Captain needs to exude leadership, be doing the things he asks his teammates to do. Know when to put an arm around a teammate and when to put a boot up their backside.
If Saka exhibits leadership qualities then fine, but not for the reasons mentioned by the author. Bleeding red and white reflects loyalty not leadership.
I’m sure Saka offers more than that, but some are natural leaders and others not. I prefer natural leaders myself, whomever it may be next.
No, a great player and good in front of the camera but Rice will surely be the next captain though long live the current skipper Ødegaard!
In a word. NO!
What is wrong with Odegaard anyway?
Currently I would have Jorginho in front of Saka,
Come to that, I would have Ben White and Declan Rice before Saxa.
Martin is still very much around, not sure why talk about who’s next in line now. Too many captains in our squad though, armbands only makes it official when any of them bears it.
I find this question weird to be honest.
I take the author back to the penalty shoot out against Porto and who stepped up?
Odegaard of course. He leads by example and connects with the fans in such a natural way.
I always liked the Adams, Vieira type of captain, but, once again, Odegaard is showing me a different option.
Saka has enough on his young shoulders and I can’t see any advantage in him getting the armband anyway.
Rice, Saliba and Tomiyasu would be better choices in my opinion and Odegaard is someone I want to see. wearing the shirt for many seasons to come.
Declan Rice is my captain in waiting and could turn out to be our next Tony Adams. As good a player Saka is, in my view, he is no captain.
Oh dear leave the he continues with his development, there are others in the team that leadership will enable their development, Saka will be just fine doing what he does best.
I would never want our most valuable player and star to be loaded with the burden of captaincy. Let him focus on his game and let him do what he does best, score and create goals and leave the captaincy to someone else. That said, Odegaard is a fine captain and may it long continue.
Is this an issue which is worth contemplating when we already have a Captain who has the respect of his colleagues and fans?