With Laurent Koscielny possibly leaving Arsenal at the end of the season and Per Mertesacker retiring, Arsenal could potentially have a new club captain next season.
A lot of pundits and fans claim that Arsenal don’t have a real leader among their ranks, but have they really been inside the Arsenal dressing room to pass such a a judgement?
When things are going well, nobody will talk about a lack of leaders. But once Arsenal lose, that’s the first thing the media will talk about, ‘The lack of leaders’. Sure, Arsenal don’t have the leaders they had during the Invincibles era, but there are some within this team that have great leadership potential.
Granit Xhaka is one of them. He plays in a position where he has to look in front, as well as behind. He is tall, strong and vocal. He does possess the characteristics to be Arsenal’s next captain. But he is still largely unproven as a player in the Premier League. The next will be his third season at the club, so it is a bit too soon also.
Shkodran Mustafi is another that has good leadership traits. He keeps shouting at the players in front of him, to try and organise Arsenal off the ball. He is strong and can become a top quality centre back for the club, but same with Granit Xhaka, its a bit too soon to make him Arsenal’s next captain. Also, reports suggested he was very close to leaving Arsenal on deadline day, 2017.
We can add Jack Wilshere to the list too, he has fantastic traits to become Arsenal’s next captain. He has that connect with the fans like no other player and he gives everything on the pitch. But the question is, what has he actually done for Arsenal since his breakthrough season, which was 2010/11?
Until he plays a good season, where he is making 30+ appearances, he shouldn’t be considereda potential captain. Arsenal cannot afford to have a club captain who is spending most of the time on the treatment table.
Then comes Aaron Ramsey, the ideal candidate for Arsenal’s captaincy. No player in the current squad has made more appearances for Arsenal than Aaron Ramsey, being the club’s longest serving player. He has performed at the top level season after season and has scored 2 FA Cup final winners in addition. He is a bit different to Xhaka, Mustafi and Wilshere. He is a much calmer person and will lead by example, through his performances and work rate during games.
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Aaron Ramsey has all what it takes to become Arsenal’s next captain. It will be interesting to see who Arsenal’s next captain it is. Whoever it maybe, the fact that Arsenal don’t possess leaders is an absolute myth.