Arsenal manager Unai Emery has announced that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has replaced Granit Xhaka as the club’s captain. The Gabon international took the armband for the 1-1 draw against Wolves at the weekend, and he will take on the role on a permanent basis.
Hector Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil are the three other players in the ‘captaincy group’ but Aubameyang has been officially nominated by Emery as the leader. Most fans on Twitter believe the decision was the correct one:
Right decision
— EddyMcQueen (@EddyMcQueen29) November 5, 2019
Our striker, our skipper
— cstarky123 (@cstarky1231) November 5, 2019
I think that is a great move by Emery
— Henry Nissi®️? (@Henrynissi) November 5, 2019
Great news let’s start winning now
— Declan (@deckyd72) November 5, 2019
Great choice. He'll lead by example.
— Arsenal (@Ian__Arsenal) November 5, 2019
That’s great! It’s been a long time we’ve had a striker in his peak, a captain
— ALPHA?? (@NANA_ALPHA1) November 5, 2019
Thoroughly deserved. Quality player and loyal to his club. That itself is class.
— Andy G ?????????????⚽️♠️♥️♦️♣️? (@AndyG10635242) November 5, 2019
Deserved. He’s carried the club on his shoulders this season.
— NN (@GoonerGolf) November 5, 2019
Finally good news
— Stephen ~ Ak ☆ (@akpev_st) November 6, 2019
Love it
— EmeryOut (@BiG_D_Papa) November 5, 2019
Aubameyang can certainly lead by example on the pitch, with the 30-year-old having scored nine goals in 13 appearances. However, it remains to be seen how stripping a popular figure in the squad like Xhaka will affect team morale.
The Swiss international’s future is now in doubt following the loss of the captaincy, and when asked about the 27-year-old’s future in his pre-match press conference yesterday, Emery would only say that they are in ongoing discussions with the player.
