Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has claimed that Martin Odegaard has "all the qualities" to captain the North London club one day.

The 23-year-old - who already dons the armband for the Norway national team - has made a positive impression with four goals and three assists in 21 Premier League outings this term.

Odegaard was tipped for the Arsenal captaincy after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's exile from the group, but Arteta instead elected to hand the responsibility over to Alexandre Lacazette.

The Gunners boss still believes that the ex-Real Madrid man is skipper material, though, telling the press: "He certainly has all the qualities to do that, absolutely.

"Talking to his national team coach and how highly they speak of him. He walks through the corridor and everybody loves him. 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.

"We had a period with him where we could evaluate what Martin could bring to the club. We had no doubts. The club was brilliant to secure him in a really convincing way. He wanted to be part of the project.

"Martin was really happy to join us because he had a really good time, he felt valued, he enjoyed what we are doing, he got a really good connection with the players & the supporters. Since then, he is getting better & better & I am not surprised.

"The way he lives his profession, the way he likes to play football & everything he does is to become better. He has still a big margin. He wants it probably more than anyone else on that pitch, every single day. He will be top, top."

Odegaard has played nine games as Norway captain so far and registered two goals and two assists in 20 games for Arsenal during his loan spell last term. body check tags ::