Tierney misses out: 23-year-old likely to be named Arsenal captain – pundit
Keiran Tierney would be the natural choice to be the next Arsenal captain but he may miss out on the armband because he is not a “guaranteed starter”.
That is the view of ex-Aston Villa and England attacker Gabby Agbonlahor, speaking exclusively to Football Insider suggested Aaron Ramsdale, 23, would be appointed as captain after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the role.
Arsenal confirmed in a statement today (14 December) Aubameyang is no longer club captain after a disciplinary breach last week.
He was left out of the matchday squad for the 3-0 win over Southampton at the weekend and will not be considered for selection for Wednesday’s (15 December) game with West Ham.
Mikel Arteta told club media he will now rely on his “leadership group” but the appointment of the next captain is “really important”.
Asked who is the right player for the role, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “You would look at Tierney but he’s not a guaranteed starter at the moment.
“It has to be a guaranteed starter really so it could be someone like Ramsdale. You know the goalkeeper is going to start every game, he can lead from the back.
“Also, he doesn’t look like he’s going to get caught up in any controversy. Maybe someone like Ramsdale.”
Fans favourite Tierney has started the last two Premier League games for Arsenal but before that, he spent six games out of the side.
Summer signing Nuno Tavares, 21, enjoyed an extended run in Arteta’s starting XI.
In other news, an Arsenal rising ‘has to leave’ after what Per Mertesacker has said publicly.