Jamie Redknapp names the main 'masterstroke' Mikel Arteta has had to solve major Arsenal problem

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie Redknapp has heaped praise on Mikel Arteta for choosing Martin Odegaard to captain Arsenal in recent weeks.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the club's captaincy back in December following a disciplinary breach and the Gabon international eventually left for Barcelona during the January transfer window. Alexandre Lacazette has donned the armband since, with Kieran Tierney wearing it in the veteran striker's absence.

However, Lacazette and Tierney have both been sidelined, with the former testing positive for Covid-19 whilst the latter suffered a season-ending injury last month - leaving young playmaker Odegaard to lead the Gunners instead. Now, former Spurs maestro Redknapp has praised Arteta for choosing the Norwegian as the skipper following Sunday's 2-1 win against West Ham United.

Speaking on Sky Sports yesterday, Redknapp said: “I think as well, by bringing him into the team, they might have just stumbled across a problem that’s caused Arsenal for a few years – the captaincy. Xhaka was captain for a while, didn’t really work, Aubameyang, then they give it to Lacazette, it was almost like no one wanted to be.

"But, by giving it to Odegaard, it feels right for me. He might not be the most vocal, but when you watch him play, he organises people, plays the right pass, he’s a lovely footballer to watch, so intelligent. You can see from Mikel Arteta’s point of view, he’s almost like his manager on the pitch.

“The captaincy has been a major problem at Arsenal, now that they’ve given it to him. He’s there for the future, he’s a fantastic player, you can see he’s a good guy as well. That’s a bit of a masterstroke from Mikel Arteta.”