[ad_1]
Mikel Arteta elected not to shut down the possibility of Granit Xhaka returning as Arsenal captain in the wake of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being stripped of the armband.
The out-of-form Gabonese striker was left out the team that beat Southampton on Saturday due to a disciplinary breach – one of several he has incurred during Arteta’s time as manager at the Emirates – and was subsequently removed from his role as club captain.
A statement released on Tuesday morning explained: ‘Following his latest disciplinary breach last week, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will no longer be our club captain, and will not be considered for selection for Wednesday’s match against West Ham United.
‘We expect all our players, particularly our captain, to work to the rules and standards we have all set and agreed.’
Aubameyang is believed to have been given permission to visit his mother in France last week but returned a day later than had been agreed with the club and was then unable to attend training after a mix-up over Covid protocols.
The 32-year-old, who is the highest-paid player at the club, has racked up several other breaches in the past – including arriving late for a game – and this was considered the final straw.
Alexandre Lacazette captained the side, and scored, in the win over Southampton but the Gunners will now need to appoint a new permanent skipper.
While Arteta was typically coy on who that might be, he did not rule out Xhaka – who has remained part of the leadership group at the club despite losing the captaincy two years ago – as a possible candidate for the job.
Asked directly if Xhaka could be Arteta’s next captain, the Spaniard replied: ‘Granit is one of the captains and he’s part of the leadership group and he’s a really important player for us.’
[ad_2]
Source : metro
