Arsenal’s options for club captain in the 2016/17 season
Midfielder Mikel Arteta has been Arsenal’s club captain since Thomas Vermaelen departed north London for Barcelona in the summer of 2014. While it was understandable why manager Arsene Wenger chose to implement Arteta as his captain, the former Everton star wasn’t exactly the overwhelming selection by many Gunner supporters (including […]
Midfielder Mikel Arteta has been Arsenal’s club captain since Thomas Vermaelen departed north London for Barcelona in the summer of 2014. While it was understandable why manager Arsene Wenger chose to implement Arteta as his captain, the former Everton star wasn’t exactly the overwhelming selection by many Gunner supporters (including yours truly). The experienced Arteta possesses exceptional leadership skills and appears to be widely respected by his fellow teammates in the dressing room. However, his lack of a guaranteed spot in the starting XI week-in week-out makes the club’s vice captain an important role.
Former Germany international Per Mertesacker currently serves as the club’s vice captain behind Arteta. With Arteta’s contract running out at season’s end, most believe the Spaniard will either retire or leave the Gunners come summertime and there will be a new captain awarded at the Emirates. Although Mertesacker would presumingly be an obvious choice to bump up to club captain, it is not necessarily a given.
Let’s take a look at five possibilities for the next Arsenal captain.
Per Mertesacker
As stated previously, Per would be the most obvious choice due to his current duties as vice captain. Nevertheless, the BFG is 31-years-old and has not exactly played at a premier level during the current campaign. Wenger should be looking to assign a captain that will undoubtedly be one of the first players on the team sheet every single week. With Gabriel Paulista nipping at the German’s heels at the center back position, Mertesacker is not guaranteed to start every match. If, however, he ends the 2015/16 season on a high note, Mertesacker could be the next Arsenal captain.
Santi Cazorla
The Spain international is the club’s third captain at the moment. Cazorla has somehow gone underrated since his arrival to north London in 2012. Despite being overlooked by some outsiders, he is universally loved by his teammates and Arsenal fans. Everyone likes Cazorla. Some may say that his starting XI inclusion is not 100% certain either, but his unusual partnership with Francis Coquelin in the middle of the pitch was extremely successful prior to the Spaniard’s knee injury in November. Any potential possibility of Cazorla being the next captain may hinge on how he returns from injury over the next month or so.
Petr Cech
The Mirror reported on Thursday that Wenger is considering appointing Petr Cech the new Arsenal captain. Although this news may surprise some due to the fact he only just joined the Gunners last summer, Cech’s leadership is unquestioned. The goalkeeper has been one of the signings of the season and is currently one of the most important players in the squad. While he is 33-years-old, the Czech international does not seem to be slowing down. It would be unusual for him to jump over both Mertesacker and Cazorla for the captaincy, but if Wenger wants his next captain to be one of the first players on the team sheet, Cech could certainly fit the bill.
Alexis Sanchez
Alexis is one of the team’s superstars. The Chilean international would be a solid choice as Arsenal’s captain because of the fact that he leads by example. No one out-hustles or leaves more on the pitch than the 27-year-old forward. Along with the ability to take over matches, his goalscoring prowess and his leadership on and off the field are undoubtedly crucial to the Gunners. Wenger could do far worse than to appoint Alexis as the team’s next captain.
Aaron Ramsey
Ramsey has previous captain experience for the Wales national team. Though his reign as his country’s captain only lasted about 19 months (due to poor form by the team), Ramsey is a different player than he was four or five years ago. At 25-years-old, the Welshman has future captain written all over him. He is a quiet leader, humble, and well respected by both his teammates and fans alike. Wenger also trusts Ramsey immensely and has even played the midfielder out of the position at times. He has racked up nearly 200 total appearances just in the last four-and-a-half seasons with the Gunners. Ramsey might be the underdog choice to be Arsenal’s next captain.
Who do you think should become Arsenal captain this summer? Vote in the poll below.
