In light of Per Mertesacker’s retirement the Arsenal captaincy is once again up for grabs.
The criteria for the role tends to be, you’re seriously injured, you’re eager to leave…or both. With that in mind, Laurent Koscielny, currently vice-captain and sidelined until November, looks to be a shoo-in for the position. No doubt he’s already got his own fine jar and everything.
Of course, given he’s not going to play for ages, who will take the armband in the meantime? New coach Unai Emery says that decision is yet to be made – he’s still getting to know the personalities in his squad – but he’s looking at potentially five players.
Well, that’s how we’re interpreting his quotes. As we know, the new boss is still getting to grips with the English language and as such, there’s room for confusion, despite his impressively quick grasp of the basics.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s pre-season friendly with Boreham Wood, Emery revealed:
“We’ve spoken about that [the captaincy]. My idea is to know every player and to know, also, the personality of the players. And then, I think my first idea is to have five captains in the team.
“But at the moment, I don’t know the names. I need to know more and also, firstly, Koscielny is the first captain now and for me, I have respect for that.
“Then, we are looking at, looking for, who are the players whose personality is the best in the dressing room.
“We want to keep the respect for these players and to find the captain and choose very well the best player for that.”
Assuming he commits his future to the club, you’d imagine that Aaron Ramsey is someone the coaching set-up is keeping an eye on for the role. The experience of Petr Cech, Nacho Monreal and Henrikh Mkhitaryan counts in their favour, while new boys Stephan Lichtsteiner and Sokratis might also fancy it. The good thing is there are lots of candidates.
Mkhitaryan is a pretty weird suggestion…
Also sokratis… Wth would he fancy that? Or lichtsteiner.
Because their contracts at Arsenal are likely to be their last professional ones at this level–maybe Mhky might go somewhere in two years bigger, but they’re both experienced athletes in their prime. Naturally, you’d expect they would want to lead their teams like they did at Dortmund.
Or captain lord bentner
Mkhi captains the Armenian national team.
As Lichtsteiner does the Swiss team.
jw1
I think I would consider the likes of KOSCIELNY, RAMSEY, CECH, MONREAL, and maybe LICHSTEINER, SOKRATIS or LENO. In that order… I think if Leno becomes our first choice GK if Koscielny Ramsey and Monreal are not on the pitch, I’d give the armband to Leno. But that’s just me. But I think Koscielny Ramsey should be our Captain and Vice Captain. And every other experienced players in the team can lead by example the likes of Cech Monreal Lich, Sokratis, Xhaka etc
Why not Xhaka being mentioned in the mix?
Imo hes too immature. Not cool enough. Imagine Hes the one and always first arguing with the likes of Mike dean and such. I love his passion but he needs to calm the fuck the down sonetimes.
I remember reading somewhere before he joined us about how he raised his game once he was made the captain of Glad’bach.
Him arguing with the refs can also be seen as being protective of his teammates, which I honestly believe he has in him.
Gabi for Athletico, Ramos for Real, these guys too seem to be on refs faces all the time, calmness can be overrated sometime, most of the times.
He’s just a bit too young still–a captain also needs a lot of tournament and league experience in winning things.
Anyone remember Mr. Arsenal?
Also as much I hate him and them, Terry at Chelsea?
It wasn’t long ago, we all were crying for Wilshire to be made our captain.
Age might be a consideration, but it can’t be the deciding factor.
Agreed, but Xhaka is also new in the side, and while he plays a great role to also be team captain, right in the middle of the field, from what we’ve seen, he’s still developing his decision-making skills. Not captain material yet, and age is his biggest reason. That’s all I meant.
Gobby Gabi
From what I’ve seen Xhaka may make some poorly considered tackles, but he actually keeps his head pretty well when tempers really flare up or he makes mistakes. If we eliminated all the captains through history that made rash tackles, well, the Prem would lose probably 80% or more of it’s most memorable captains. I’m not saying he’s ready for 1st choice after Kos, but to me he’s got to be on that list. Monreal led by example so many matches last year – taking several matches by the scruff of the neck with his effort and important match –… Read more »
imo xhaka is the perfect player to captain arsenal not at this moment but he could be groomed to be the next captain provided he plays like he was expected when we bought him. personalitywise he has everything in him, he is the vice captain of swiss team at the age of 23 . every coach who has worked with him has praised for his exceptional leadership qualities. whatever u think of him as a player he is a proper leader. and there is just no other guy with similar leadership qualities in our team, ramsey is not vocal enough… Read more »
He sounds like Wenger.
Eh?
Ramsey captain, Monreal VC
Did you read the article? Even the headline?
Very difficult situation. U might want a player as captain who plays week in, week out. Even if u consider that and cech will be our Number He would be an solid option because hes ambitious, clever and demanding. Same goes for nacho on the Pitch, cant say how He interacts with the guys off the pitch. Not sure about rambo. Laca might can grow in this role, just aint ready now.
Not sure I get the heavy ‘ambitious’ read off of Cech, to be honest. Yeah, I’m sure he expects more, but he’s a pretty passive presence. Not my ideal qualities in our captain.
I would choose Monreal. He is a true professional on and off the pitch, a leader and a likeable figure in the dressing room. I don’t care if he is not a long term solution. In today’s football you can’t watch to much ahead. I think he deserves to be a new captain and of course a new contract. Hopefully he didn’t get one by now just because he was in Russia.
Give it to Monreal along with the #3
Cech would be a great shout for captain apart from Ramsey of course.
He has the experience, has won everything at club level, is level headed and respected by his peers.
i have a sneaky feeling that Leno will be our No.1, so no Cech. maybe Monreal or Ramsey if he stays (what i don´t think). but, it´s only my opinion/Feeling…..
Lichtsteiner would be the perfect candidate
I’ll do it. Problem solved.
Join the discussion…should be ramsey
Can’t rule out xhaka. Didn’t he captain mon hengladbach? Ramsey has captained Wales too and Cech must’ve captained Czech Republic.
Give it to Xhaka
This seems to be good. lets see who of those five players really wants that arm band.
Emery has a habit of choosing Spanish-speaking captains.
Seems an obvious idea– even with his improving command of English– that he’d want to be fluent with the captain.
jw1
I see this more as there are about five players he feels could do it, but he wants leaders throughout the team
So he’s keeping with the tradition of club captain barely playing this season. Ramsey really should get the nod although I have a feeling it will be given to Cech. But I don’t really understand giving the armband to the keeper as every time they need to have a word with the skipper he can’t really run across the field to have a chat.
If you take Kos’ honourary captaincy as out till November, and have a captain in defence with a vice, and a captain in attack with a vice (vices covering injuries/subs/restings), 5 isn’t as outlandish as it might seem. No certainty of course, but might not be a language issue.
“Koscielny is the first captain now and for me, I have respect for that.” Sounds like Kos is club captain, and wearing the armband is up for grabs until he’s fit.
Give me 11 Captains anyday