Divisive Arsenal star in line for captain’s armband

Nacho Monreal Granit Xhaka TEAMtalk

Granit Xhaka believes Arsenal’s leadership improved last season amid reports the SWiss star is in pole position to get the armband this season.

The divisive midfielder was one five captains that Unai Emery used last season and the Telegraph claim Xhaka is the leading candidate to replace Laurent Koscielny, who has refused to go on tour with the squad.

Koscielny is facing internal action from the Gunners as he tries to engineer a move back to his native France – leaving Emery needing a new skipper.

“It is not about the armband,” said Xhaka, who was linked with a move to Atletico Madrid last month.

“We have to work well together on the pitch, out of the pitch and we have to work together, all of the players. ‘If the club and the coach gives me the armband I will be happy of course.

“I will be very happy because it is something special. But it’s not my first time because I have been the captain here, I was before in Germany and the national team as well.

“Our leadership improved last season but this is not something you can change in one day. You need time and in my opinion, we are on a good way to create something special in the team as well.’

Petr Cech and Aaron Ramsey both skippered the side last season, but both have since left the club, while Mesut Ozil and Nacho Monreal also held the armband.

 

Xhaka though, who is not universally liked by Arsenal fans looks like getting the nod having skippered his former club Borussia Monchengladbach and Switzerland in the past.

Emery said: “We have spoken about the captaincy. Last year we had Aaron Ramsey and Petr Cech who have left us.

“And Laurent Koscielny, who has a contract, who he told us he wants to leave.

“I want between three and five captains in the team.

“We have Granit, we have Mesut Ozil and Nacho Monreal and there are other players who can also take this position.”