Who is Arsenal captain?
Martin Ødegaard is Arsenal’s captain.
The Norway international has worn the armband regularly since Mikel Arteta appointed him captain in 2022 and remains the club’s skipper for the 2026/27 season.
Ødegaard led Arsenal to the Premier League title in 2025/26, becoming only the third Arsenal captain to lift the Premier League trophy after Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira.
Arteta has previously explained that Ødegaard’s conduct, ambition and standing within the club were central to the decision to make him captain.
Who captains Arsenal when Ødegaard does not play?
Bukayo Saka has regularly taken the armband when Ødegaard has been unavailable or rested.
Saka captained Arsenal away to Brighton during the 2025/26 campaign when Ødegaard was absent, and he has also worn the armband in other competitive and pre-season fixtures.
Arteta has publicly described Saka as one of Arsenal’s leaders, highlighting the respect he commands within the squad and his influence on those around him.
Arsenal captaincy hierarchy
The exact matchday hierarchy can change depending on availability, substitutions and team selection.
| Role | Current position |
|---|---|
| Club captain | Martin Ødegaard |
| Regular deputy | Bukayo Saka has frequently captained the side in Ødegaard’s absence |
| Other senior leaders | Arsenal have several experienced players who can take leadership responsibilities |
| Matchday captain | Can vary if the usual captain is unavailable |
Why did Arsenal make Martin Ødegaard captain?
Ødegaard first captained Arsenal during the 2021/22 season before becoming the permanent skipper.
Arteta cited his professionalism, ambition and the respect he commanded throughout the organisation when confirming the decision. Ødegaard later reached 100 appearances as Arsenal captain, with Arsenal noting that he had recorded a 66 per cent win rate across those first 100 matches as skipper.
His role is not limited to wearing the armband. As an attacking midfielder, he is also heavily involved in Arsenal’s pressing structure, build-up and communication on the pitch.
Bukayo Saka’s growing Arsenal leadership role
Saka’s importance to Arsenal increasingly extends beyond his attacking output.
The Hale End graduate has been trusted with the armband on multiple occasions and Arteta has described him as one of the team’s leaders.
That does not necessarily mean Arsenal have permanently altered their captaincy hierarchy. A player can captain an individual match because Ødegaard is injured, rested or substituted without the club changing its permanent captain.
What does an Arsenal captain actually do?
The captain is the most visible member of the leadership structure, but modern dressing rooms rarely rely on one player alone.
Responsibilities can include:
- representing the team with match officials
- communication between players and coaching staff
- setting standards in training
- supporting younger players
- handling public and media responsibilities
- providing leadership during difficult moments in matches
Leadership can also come from players who do not regularly wear the armband.
Arsenal captains in the Premier League era
I’d add a short historical table because this gives the page much more evergreen value.
| Captain | Notable Arsenal achievement |
|---|---|
| Tony Adams | Captained Arsenal to multiple league titles |
| Patrick Vieira | Captained the Invincibles |
| Cesc Fàbregas | Became captain at a young age |
| Robin van Persie | Captained Arsenal before leaving in 2012 |
| Thomas Vermaelen | Club captain during Arsène Wenger era |
| Mikel Arteta | Captained Arsenal before becoming manager |
| Per Mertesacker | Captain and later academy manager |
| Laurent Koscielny | Club captain |
| Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | Captained Arsenal to the FA Cup |
| Martin Ødegaard | Captained Arsenal to the 2025/26 Premier League title |
Arsenal captain FAQ
Who is Arsenal’s current captain?
Martin Ødegaard is Arsenal’s current men’s first-team captain.
Who captains Arsenal when Ødegaard is absent?
Bukayo Saka has frequently worn the armband when Ødegaard has been unavailable.
Is Bukayo Saka Arsenal vice-captain?
Saka is clearly one of Arsenal’s senior leaders and has repeatedly captained the team, but I would avoid presenting him as the formally designated vice-captain unless Arsenal explicitly confirms that title.
When did Ødegaard become Arsenal captain?
Arsenal appointed Ødegaard as permanent captain in 2022.
Has Ødegaard won the Premier League as Arsenal captain?
Yes. Ødegaard lifted the Premier League trophy after Arsenal won the 2025/26 title.
