There was a time when Arsenal looked devoid of any leaders but now, as the search for a new long-term captain continues, suddenly it feels like Mikel Arteta has plenty of options.
This is a young Arsenal squad, who are still developing, but during the course of this season a number of players have emerged as future leaders.
Alexandre Lacazette, who is currently captain after the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, has tipped Albert Sambi Lokonga, Ben White, Gabriel and Kieran Tierney as future skippers, but the list is longer than that.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has impressed staff since joining in the summer and Martin Odegaard is another contender, who until recently was going under the radar.
Already captain of Norway, Odegaard is becoming a leader at Arsenal on and off the pitch.
He is certainly Arsenal’s technical leader and it was noticeable against Brentford on Saturday, and during other games this season, that whenever there is a break in play Arteta beckons the midfielder over for a quick tactical chat.
Off the field Odegaard has impressed too. His work ethic is exemplary and his positive attitude around the training ground hasn’t gone unnoticed either.
“He walks through the corridor and everybody loves him,” said Arteta. “He is such a nice, humble guy and he leads with the way he is. It is very natural for him and that will come.”
Arteta still has time to think about the next captain, with Lacazette due to wear the armband until the end of the season.
Come the summer, though, the leadership group, which also contains Granit Xhaka and Rob Holding, may need some new faces added to it.
Gabriel, Tierney and White all look like good options, but Odegaard’s chances feel like they’re growing almost every week.
He would be a captain very much in Arteta’s mould when he was skipper - diligent, hard working and willing to front up to the media when things aren’t going well.
Tactically, the team is becoming more dependent on him and, while Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe got the goals against Brentford, it was Odegaard who ran the show.
Who knows, one day he might one of those be running the Arsenal dressing room, too.
