Topics: Martin Odegaard, Nuno Tavares, Arsenal, Marseille, Sevilla, Emirates Cup
With both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette gone, the Gunners have finally decided who to hand the armband to.

Premier League giants Arsenal had been without a permanent captain for quite some time. After former striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the armband back in December, the club opted against naming his successor, with then vice-captain Alexandre Lacazette temporarily assuming the role.

And with the French striker having left over the summer for a return to Lyon, the armband was up for grabs, with fans wondering who their next skipper will be. The north London heavyweights have finally named the man who will officially assume this role, and to no one's surprise, it is none other than Martin Odegaard.

The Norwegian ace has quickly become a fan favorite among Gooners after joining the club on a permanent deal last summer, having initially enjoyed a lovely six-month loan spell in the second half of the 2020/21 campaign. In fact, the former Real Madrid playmaker has worn the armband a number of times already, deputizing in this role last season during the absence of both Lacazette and Tierney while captaining Mikel Arteta's side in their brilliant 4-0 pre-season victory over Chelsea.

"The 23-year-old has made a huge impact since arriving at Emirates Stadium from Real Madrid in January 2021, initially on loan, and has gone on to play 60 times, scoring nine goals," Arsenal wrote on their official website ahead of their Emirates Cup showdown with Sevilla.

"Odegaard has experience of wearing the armband, having been Norway captain since March 2021, whom he has won 43 caps for.

"We wish Martin every success as our captain."

Kieran Tierney was another shout for the role, but with Odegaard being Arteta's go-to guy on the pitch, it could only ever be the Norwegian midfielder. Saturday's early clash with Sevilla will be his debut game as the Gunners' permanent first-team captain.

And that wasn't the only news Arsenal fans were treated to in the early hours of Saturday. After days of speculation, Portuguese left-back Nuno Tavares finally completed his departure from the English capital, with the defender leaving the Emirates Stadium to join Marseille on a season-long loan.

While the former Benfica man remains a talented prospect, his lack of experience showed last season when called upon to deputize for the injured Kieran Tierney. Oleksandr Zinchenko was also signed, meaning they could afford to loan out Nuno in a bid to secure him playing time.