Martin Keown names who he’d have made Arsenal’s new captain over Granit Xhaka

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Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown disagrees with Unai Emery’s decision to name Granit Xhaka as the north London club’s new captain, as per TalkSport.

Keown said he would rather Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got the armband because the Swiss international should not be guaranteed his spot in the side.

He stated: “You need to be sure you’re going to be in the team. I would have gone for Aubameyang. He’s secure, in the team as a regular.

“This is really going to divide the fans; there are times [Xhaka] goes missing in that midfield. He must be an incredible character off the pitch, I’ve not seen. I want more from him in midfield. I want to see that leader on the pitch.”

TBR’s View – Xhaka shouldn’t be captain or guaranteed a spot in the team – but the players have spoken

Keown says that Xhaka being handed the armband nails down his spot in the team and he’s right. And Xhaka’s performances so far this season are not at the level of someone who should be an automatic pick for Arsenal.

But as per Sky Sports, Rob Holding said it’s not Emery who chose the new leader, it’s the players. That shows he’s a popular character within the group and they feel he’s the right man to help move the club forward.

The question is; why? Are they not fed up with him diving into tackles and losing his position? It certainly would make Emery’s decision harder if he was considering dropping him if his form doesn’t improve.