Arsenal have named Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as their new club captain replacing under-fire Granit Xhaka who’s on the spot after a recent spat with club supporters.
The Switzerland international has not featured for the Gunners since his pat with fans two weeks ago during a league against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.
The midfielder was booed off by club supporters as he went off at the hour mark and he responded by using the F word against the fans, a move that has put him in a difficult position with a section of the supporters calling for his sacking.
Despite issuing a public apology, coach Unai Emery went ahead and stripped him of the captaincy and handed the Gabon international the armband. Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette and Hector Bellerin will assist the former Borussia Dortmund man.
“We have now Aubameyang, Hector, Lacazette and Ozil – they are the four captains, and first is now Aubameyang,” Emery revealed on Tuesday evening.
Asked whether the decision to name Auba captain was a temporary one, the tactician was quick to clarify that the move was a permanent one and wants the topic put to rest.
“I think we are speaking a lot about that and it’s clear, there are no more words about that. The decision I have taken, and also I told him and I told the other captains and now we are continuing,” he added.
The Spanish tactician went to clarify that he had spoken to Xhaka before announcing the move.
“I told them. First Xhaka and then the captains and it’s finished. For me, it’s finished, that moment and that issue and his future with us is coming for the next weeks or the next months and now we need to be focused on tomorrow.
Arsenal will play Portuguese side, Vitoria Guimaraes in a Europa League match on Wednesday.