Arsenal: Declan Rice explains how Martin Odegaard impact has guided Gunners this season | OneFootball

The captain has struggled to make an impact on the pitch but it’s a different story behind the scenes

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Odegaard’s peripheral display in that game drew heavy criticism and the Norwegian is under pressure to deliver, with old accusations about his failure to impose himself on the biggest matches beginning to resurface.

The 26-year-old has, by his own admission, not lived up to his best form during an injury-hit campaign, but Rice says his midfield partner will come up with the goods when it matters.

He’s got the full respect of the dressing room, the way he demands, the way he drives the team, the way he speaks

Declan Rice on Martin Odegaard

“Obviously, everyone has dips in form, I’ve had different dips in form before,” Rice said. “[But] it doesn’t matter because he can deliver on the biggest stage, and tomorrow night I’m sure he will.

“We’re ready and we’re always with Martin because he’s one of our best players.”

Though he laid on Rice’s goal in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth, Odegaard’s creative output has been down on recent seasons.

However, Rice insists he remains a key figure, both for his work out of possession and as skipper in the dressing.

“He’s our leader, he’s our captain,” Rice said. “He trains every single day, he plays every minute of every game. He’s one of the best lads I’ve seen away from the pitch in terms of how he lives his life.

“He’s got the full respect of the dressing room, the way he demands, the way he drives the team, the way he speaks. You wouldn’t see him as that type of character, but he really is behind the scenes.

“He’s been amazing for us and I wouldn’t want anyone else being our captain. I think the lads feel the same way about that as well.”