Granit Xhaka is reportedly the leading contender to be the new Arsenal captain

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Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is the leading contender to be named the club’s new captain, according to the Daily Telegraph.

They report that Xhaka was among a five-man leadership group known as captains at the Emirates Stadium last season.

But of that group, Petr Cech has retired, Aaron Ramsey has left, Laurent Koscielny has refused to tour and Mesut Ozil is struggling for a place in Unai Emery’s plans.

So that leaves £100,000-a-week (Spotrac) Xhaka as the leading candidate and in pole position to take up the armband, with Nacho Monreal slipping behind because he is not apparently expected to be a regular starter next season.

Xhaka has been captain of Switzerland on occasion and was also apparently captain of his former club Borussia Monchengladbach at a young age.

Unai Emery has said on the subject: “We have players with the capacity [to be captain], one is Granit, he was a captain in the dressing room. I want between three and five captains in the team.”

Xhaka has divided opinion among the fanbase since arriving – there’s no doubting his passion and commitment, but his quality on the ball and consistency have both been problems.

It’s fair to say he wouldn’t be a uniformly popular choice as captain – perhaps Hector Bellerin would be better – but there is no obvious standout.