Parlour says Arsenal have a 23-year-old who’d be made captain but for one reason

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Ray Parlour has told talkSPORT (15/12; 09:09) that he would definitely pick Kieran Tierney as the next Arsenal captain, while he suggested that Aaron Ramsdale would get the gig straight away – but for one reason.

Mikel Arteta is now looking for his next skipper following the announcement that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been stripped of the armband.

Goal has suggested that the responsibility may be shared amongst the leadership group for the rest of the season. The difficulty Arsenal face is that Arteta is largely working with a number of younger players.

And the obvious contenders all have a potential con against their name. Alexandre Lacazette’s contract expires next summer. Granit Xhaka has previously been stripped of the captaincy himself. And Tierney has struggled with injury in the past.

Despite the Scot’s problems however, Parlour believes that he is the stand-out candidate. Interestingly, he also suggested another name who would get the role if in a different position.

“I think Tierney is a guy you can see when he puts on that Arsenal shirt, he really does as much as he can to help the team, be an influence in that team as well,” he told talkSPORT.

“In an ideal world, if Ramsdale was a centre-half, he’d get it straight away because he’s been absolutely sensational. You can have a skipper as a goalkeeper, Lloris has been skipper for Spurs, and Dino Zoff and people like that. But ideally, you want him out on the pitch.”

Should Arteta worry about position of next Arsenal captain?

It does appear that Parlour is not alone in having reservations about picking Ramsdale. Goalkeepers obviously have less of an influence at the other end of the pitch.

But the person wearing the armband should not be the only player who provides leadership. So Arteta should perhaps be open to making Ramsdale captain.

He is setting the example with his performances and work-rate this season.

It may not sit well with everyone. But ruling Ramsdale out because he is a goalkeeper would be a shame.