The Frenchman was named as the club captain until the end of the season, but with his contract expiring on the 30th June, Arteta’s first big decision of the new season will be deciding on the player to inherit the armband from the former Lyon ace.
Arteta proclaimed he would not be rushed into a “rash decision” and that he would lean on the so-called leadership group this season.
It is important to note that absolutely no complaints were made at the time of this announcement.
However, when a national team captain and, arguably, the most experienced player in the team, snub the captain’s armband and demands it to be handed to somebody else like it was a crying baby, what message does it send to players such as Emile Smith-Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, and Aaron Ramsdale, who will likely form the next leadership group at Arsenal?
Perhaps, ‘never snub the armband even if you are not next in line’.
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