– Unai Emery is in search for Arsenal’s next captain after Laurent Koscielny went on strike
– The Frenchman refused to join the team for their US pre-season tour
– Up to three players have been identified as potential replacements for the want-away defender
Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka has emerged leading candidate to be named Arsenal’s new captain following Laurent Koscielny’s decision to go on strike.
Koscielny, who was largely viewed as Arsenal’s most senior squad player by club manager Unai Emery, could lose the status after refusing to link up with the team for a pre-season tour to USA.
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The Frenchman’s decision has now forced Emery to rethink the Gunners’ dressing room leadership with just weeks remaining to the start of the new season.
With Petr Cech and Aaron Ramsey both leaving the Emirates, there could be an acute shortage of players capable of taking over the mantle from Koscielny.
However, speaking on Arsenal’s captaincy situation, Emery divulged there were a number of players in contention for the role, including Xhaka and Mesut Ozil.
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“We have players with the capacity [to be captain], one is Granit, he was a captain in the dressing room,” the tactician said.
“We have others like Mesut, Nacho. There are other players who can take this position also. I want between three and five captains in the team,” he added.
But Xhaka has emerged the obvious contender given he is assured of a starting place in Emery’s line-up compared to Ozil.
The 26-year-old has himself signalled willingness to take on the role should the club turn to him.
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Source: Tuko Kenya
