Martin Odegaard criticized Tony Adams criticism after the Grand Arsenal suggested that the midfielder should be replaced as captain.
Odegaard has been an Arsenal skipper since 2022. However, Adams, who directed Arsenal to four league titles in his career, recently said that the Norwegian international should be stripped of the captain, pointing to Declan Rice as the best man to lead the team on the field.
Addressing an audience during an Irish independent sporting event, Adams said: “From time to time, as a manager, you have to put someone who reflects you, who reflects the football club which, in your opinion, can make you pass to the higher level.
“You have someone there who will play every game all season, it will encourage people to come and throw the foundations of a winning team. Declan Rice can do it, Odegaard cannot. Come on [Mikel] Arteta, do it captain.
Manager Arteta later said that there was elected captain by his teammates, winning this ballot.
And, speaking at a press conference before Norway’s shock with Moldova on Tuesday, Odegaard rejected criticism.
“I don’t care, to be honest,” said Odegaard. “Everyone can have their opinion and say what they want, and I’m fine with that. I don’t care what everyone says.
“There are a lot of negative and positive things to say, but I cannot let it affect. This is what I thought throughout my career.
“We voted for this. In the end, it was his [Arteta’s] choice anyway. But it was a great confirmation for me.
Odegaard suffered a shoulder injury in the second arsenal match of the season, a 5-0 home victory against Leeds United, and was limited to 20 minutes from their subsequent 1-0 defeat against Liverpool in Anfield.
But Odegaard played 45 minutes from the friend of Norway with Finland on Thursday and said that the injury is behind him, rejecting any notion of conflict of interest between Norway and Arsenal.
“It hurt a lot, but now I have it under control and I feel ready,” added Odegaard. “He [a conflict of interest] has never been a problem.
“I speak a lot with [Norway coach] Solbakken expired. The club obviously wanted me to Liverpool, and my only job was to prepare myself. »»
