Gabriel Martinelli delivers honest verdict on Arsenal captaincy, after West Ham win

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Gabriel Martinelli told BT Sport that the Arsenal players will stick together, after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the Gunners captaincy. Without Aubameyang, Arsenal won 2-0 on Wednesday night.

Now well-documented, Aubameyang was given permission to visit his Mother – but returned late. Of course, as captain, this is not the first time he has breached discipline at Arsenal.

It resulted in Mikel Arteta choosing to strip Aubameyang of the armband this week. Of course, changing captain during a season is widely regarded as incredibly disruptive – with a new captain working around his predecessor.

Alexandre Lacazette captained Arsenal on Wednesday, but his contract will expire next June. He is not a long-term option. The likes of Kieran Tierney, Gabriel, Aaron Ramsdale and even Bukayo Saka have been suggested.

Asked about the situation at the moment, Martinelli underlined the desire to stick together as a squad of players. He also stated that the decision on a replacement will be made by Arteta, and the players.

“We are a team. We are together. It’s up to Mikel [Arteta] and the whole team to decide who will be captain,” Martinelli said, having scored the first in a 2-0 win over West Ham.

Martinelli on captain: Which Arsenal ace is best to replace Aubameyang?

Lacazette is probably the best candidate at this moment in time – if you overlook his contract situation. Arteta has spoken of his desire to find a solution for the Frenchman, so a new deal and the captaincy could occur.

Granit Xhaka has had it before – and looks better without it. Saka is arguably too young, while Ramsdale and Ben White have only just stepped through the door. Gabriel, perhaps, but he does not strike as a leader.

John Hartson got it bang on this week – the best man is Tierney. Passionate, aggressive, and has learnt from the likes of Scott Brown. He trains as he plays, and demands the best. The ideal man to take Arsenal forward.