Mikel Arteta believes the Arsenal captaincy has made Martin Odegaard more hungry for success.
The midfielder was confirmed as the club’s skipper ahead of the start of the new season, having worn the armband in the closing stages of the previous campaign.
Odegaard, 23, appears to relish the role, scoring three goals in the last two games and leading the Gunners to four out of four Premier League wins so far this season.
“He’s more humble, I would say – even more,” Arteta replied when asked if he’s seen any change in the Norway captain since he gave him the armband.
“That’s how he is. Humbler and hungrier, a good combination. At 23, he already has a lot of experience and a lot of pressure, especially in individual.
“He played for Madrid and knows what it’s all about. He does it quite naturally, nothing worries him, and he develops it even more.
Aston Villa are visitors to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night as they look to get their season back on track while derailing Arsenal’s perfect start.
Arteta will be without midfield duo Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny for the game, the latter suffering a hamstring injury against Fulham having been drafted with Partey sidelined with a thigh problem .
Eddie Nketiah was the difference maker after coming off the bench in the 2-1 win over the Cottagers, with Arsenal coming from a goal behind to maintain their run.
The England Under-21 top scorer is yet to start a game this season after agreeing a new deal in the summer.
But Arteta insists he would have no qualms about bringing Nketiah to his side to take on struggling Villa.
“He is a threat, every day in training,” added the Arsenal boss.
“You ask him to play and immediately the boy is ready. He is not scared. He is confident, he has power and the boys really believe in him.
“We changed the formation and got a better connection and spaces.
“They are a really physical team, very present and very good and dangerous in the box. It will be tough.”
