Arsenal fans will be thinking of anything but next season in the aftermath of Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. But as Mikel Arteta left the Puskas Arena, if he’s got anything about him, the Spanish coach will have already decided his first move of pre-season.
With the game hanging in the balance at 1-1, the sight of Martin Odegaard trudging off the pitch was one to behold. How many of Europe’s top clubs would be taking their captain off with 23 minutes to play of regular time?
It wasn’t a one-off either. Odegaard is often sacrificed at crucial moments in matches, as Arteta looks to shuffle the pack. But captains shouldn’t be easily dispensable from a tactical point of view – their role is much more important than that.
They’re the ones who rally the troops when the chips are down, providing that extra bit of motivation and leadership to help drag the team across the line. While he’s no doubt a gentleman behind the scenes, if Arsenal want to reach the heights they desire, they need someone capable of doing it on the pitch.
The good news for Arteta and Arsenal is they’ve got the perfect candidate waiting in the wings. Step forward Declan Rice.
In the bowels of the Puskas Arena, it was Rice who spoke with such clarity and determination. He carries himself exactly who a captain should. His head was high, his words are clear: Arsenal will be back.
He told TNT Sports: “We’re all gutted. It’s a Champions League final. The emotions and the stakes are so high. We took the game to penalties. It’s a lottery. It’s football, you know. You either win on pens or you lose on pens. Some of the best teams ever lost on penalties in finals.
“We were on the receiving end of that tonight. But look, we win together, we lose together. I’m so proud of this group and these boys. What a season. It’s been incredible. I can’t speak highly enough of everyone. I’m obviously gutted, but I’m just trying to take a little bit of perspective.”
And on the two Arsenal players who missed in the shootout, the should-be-Gunners skipper said: “Without them two this season, we wouldn’t have won the Premier League. That’s for sure. Gabriel… I’ve run out of words for him. As a person, as a player.
“And Eze as well. The crucial goals he’s come up with for us this year. It happens. It’s football and it’s cruel. But look, we take the positives and we keep going.”
That’s the man who should be wearing the Arsenal armband.