I totally understand people being annoyed with Koscielny and feeling let down, but I have a slight issue when people talk about him being captain and how a captain shouldn’t behave in this way.
Let’s be honest, the captaincy at Arsenal has meant very little for nearly 10 years now. It wasn’t that long ago that I wrote a comment about how our ‘captains’ had played less than 10% of PL games over a 5 year period. That’s an absolute joke! Even the season just gone, we started it with 5 so-called captains, I mean what the hell is that!? Obviously Koscielny’s antics don’t help bring any respect back to the captaincy, but I think that respect had died a long time ago.
Emery really needs to have a long hard think about what he wants from his next captain and he needs to ensure that he chooses someone who plans on sticking around and hopefully chooses someone who isn’t sat in the stands most of the time.
Give us an idea of who is the most popular choice for captain among Arsenal supporters by voting in the poll at the bottom of this article.
Personally, I’d be giving it to Leno. I know a lot have mentioned Sokratis, but he is a bit too fiery for me and may cause disruption if he gets into the players too much. I like his passion and i’d want that to continue, but I think I’d prefer someone a little more level-headed for the role.
Xhaka is another option and the extra responsibility may see him cut out some of the silly mistakes, but I always get the impression he’s glancing at the exit door. A dark horse might be Holding. If he can break into the first team and become a regular after his injury then I’d love the idea of a young, English old-fashioned centre half captaining Arsenal again.
It’s about time being captain of Arsenal meant something again. Let’s hope Emery gets it right.
Written by fatgingergooner
Arsenal News 24/7
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I wouldn’t moan too much if Leno was made captain. Although my preference would be Laca… but I reckon Emery will go with Granit
It’s Friday! Woohoo!! Getting ready for the weekend….. Happy Friday, peeps!! 😀
Comment from Jay … posted on the poll rather than the discussion:
“Not xhaka for me, head dropped too many times in important games,gave up easy,silly mistakes etc especially everton,wolves, leicester away and palace home, all important games that we lost.
would give it to leno as very vocal from the back and can see everything.
only way i would give it too xhaka for a while is too get him out of the club as any outfield players that get the captaincy are gone shortly afterwords,has to be one of the worst midfielders i have seen at arsenal in
over 50 years,not everyone will agree with me but that’s my opinion.”
I am hoping that Granit will be sold so…but I agree that Emery will make him our captain and Monreal the co-captain.
I don’t mind seeing Leno as our captain but like Sue, I also have other preferred options like Sokratis, Laca and also Bellerin and Holding.
SUE – news for you on the transfer front
-> Saliba and Ceballos choose Arsenal over Tottenham 🙂
-> Arsenal edging closer to Everton Soares while still looking to add Zaha
-> Alves and Tierney still interested to join us and we re still interested in getting them…
-> Emery wants 3 to 4 players to join for this year. Based on the above – they could be Alves, Tierney, Ceballos and Everton. So RB, LB, CM and FW – no addition at CB or DM 😦
Morning Sue,
I am now firmly of the opinion that the £45m was a smokescreen by the club. I expect signings in the next two weeks totaling between £60m and £80m. Unfortunately (for you at least) it is unlikley that Zaha will be among them.
Hi there, Rasp! The start of your comment had me very excited…needless to say, I no longer am 🤣 I still have my hopes for Wilf! 🙏
Rakitic to be sold by Barcelona… He s not the youngest but he is so good. A real player that can help Torreira, Guendouzi and Willock in their development and even Ceballos.
Let s get rid of Xhaka and make a move for Rakitic. Xhaka is very well regarded in Italy so clubs like Inter, Milan and Lazio could ne tempted for 30 to 40 mln, which is the price of Rakitic.
Many thanks, RC…there’s still a glimmer then 😁
Xhaka will probably get it, but I voted for Holding, he has the attitude, fighting qualities and determination that I like in a skipper, he is also vocal which I think is important as I’ve never gone with this ‘lead by example’ nonsense and age shouldn’t be an issue, it wasn’t for Tony Adams.
RC78, as it stands, if nobody leaves from the senior squad, Arsenal have three spots available to fill in the 17 places that make up the foreign contingent in our 25.
I’m not sure if either Zaha or Tierney can be considered home based or foreign?
Of course if Elneny leaves then that opens up another space and we don’t know what’s happening with Koscielny or Mustafi?
So Sky are saying we’ve agreed Saliba then… I don’t know a great deal about him & we won’t see him for another year.. is this the excitement Josh was talking about?! 🤪
I personally think Ozil will be our next Captain because of Age and years he spend with the club
Holding for me, as a player who, I hope can “hold” his position in the team and will mature with that responsibility. Sokratis as back up, for his heart, if not his disciples
Anybody but Xhaka who is a liability in terms of discipline, respect/understanding of laws of game and referees in Premier League. Dont believe Gks should ever be Captain.
Xhaka is my option
Holding is an excellent choice especially since arsenal captain rarely plays
I have a issue with giving players who haven’t spent more than 5 years at the club so seeing as no one fits that bill I vote for lacazette
Thanks goodness kolasinac not on the list we don’t want sue getting any ideas lol 🙂
Sue voted for lacazette great minds think alike
Jay don’t forget palace
The best bet I ever made
My Emirates Cup ticket has just arrived! Yay!! For some strange reason I just thought you’d need your membership card to get in 🤪
Just watching a replay of the Bayern friendly (on Free Sports) I really do like our away kit. Anyone else think Neuer is such a cocky sod?!
Speaking of Kolasinac, Fred.. someone said to me he looks like Grug from The Croods 😂
Great minds about Laca, Fred 👍
Am with Rasp on this one.
Emery will not even be around long enough to re-establish the importance of actually having a captain that during the season.
This is actually a problem, no definitive person or player who encompasses the ethos and spirit of a leader on this squad, eh?
Been a problem for years, and any reasonable organization should not have this problem.
Captaincy by shared leadership, what kind of utter $h*te is that?
Like the Saliba deal, even if he does not play for the team this year. Needed a guy like this for the last 10 years!
Hi Aaron, actually I do agree with the author of the post, but it wasn’t me, it was written by FGG
Then I agree with FGG too!
If we can’t get Tierney, we can get better at a similar price. There is Grimaldo from Benefica and Martin from Mainz. Both very young. Grimaldo is also an extremely talented free kick taker and very good at crossing. 30 Mln could snatch him although his buy out clause is at 60. Both young center back, both Spanish and both ready for a bigger challenge.
That must have been some game between LA Galaxy & Los Angeles FC.. Ibrahimovic bangs in a hat trick & Vela bangs in a brace!! Wow!!
Dortmund beat Liverpool 😏 And I’m hoping Inter Milan are victorious against the Mancs later 🙏 oh and Chelsea lost to Kawasaki (😳) yesterday…. lovely jubbly 👍
My god, who on earth would choose Ozil as our next captain!
Make it mustafi – if he’s captain barca will inevitably come in for him or he will be out for the season!
Make it mustafi – if he’s captain barca will inevitably come in for him or he will be out for the season!
City v Wolves – thank God I have my shades & a sick bowl handy, looking at City’s kit 🤢
Good old Puma 😂
Finally got to see the 2nd 45 of the Rapids game, it’ll take me awhile to catch up.
Olayinka, Burton and Thompson all really impressed, not up to the level of the Willocks or Nketiahs yet, but there’s a lot of potential in those lads, Medley also looked fine, very encouraging for next season and left footed.
I’d keep most of them, play them in the cups and then think about loans in January if the opportunities dry up.
Kev.. if you liked that, you’ll love the Bayern game!
Thanks Sue, I’ve seen the goals but it’s nice to watch the whole game and just see how the players are coming along.
I’ll try and watch a bit of the Bayern game tonight.
Seems that Freesports will have the Lyon, Angers and Barca games as well, so I should have caught up by the time we go to Anfield. 😉
Thanks for that Sue, I’ve seen the goals but it’s nice to watch the whole game and just see how the players are coming along.
I’ll try and watch a bit of the Bayern game tonight, maybe the 1st 45..?
Seems that Freesports will have the Lyon, Angers and Barca games as well, so I should have caught up by the time we go to Anfield. 😉
Sue did I see ibra comments in Vela before the game priceless
You guys and gyals watching today’s game or is to late for you all
[video src="https://fred1266.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/vid-20190720-wa0024.mp4" /]
No worries, Kev. Fiorentina tonight.. are you sure by the time we visit Anfield?? Haha!!
That Freesports is pretty good.. hadn’t heard of it until now!
Hi Fred.. yes will be up for the game! Looking forward to it
Me, just an easy afternoon game.
Not like many games when 430am is the norm.
Will be watching the youngsters.
Aaron where u from again
Yea looking forward to see youngsters
The line up I want to see
Martinez
Jenkinson holding Medley Thomson
AMN Chamber Willock
saka Nketiah of Martenelli Nelson
Saliba to be announced on Tuesday
Fred,
USA, in CA.
Yes to all except someone new on the right except Jenko.
My nerves are shot after the darts – and it’s only the 2nd game in – gutted for Gezzy Price 🥺 Please Arsenal… cheer me up 🙏
weird i still have a soft spot for jenkinson always want him to do well
loving that front 3
but confused by Kolainac and monreal
Sorted then, Fred… Jenko starts! Gonna be a good game 👊
yea shocked we back using a back 3 but surely medley over Mustafi what Emery smoking over there
strange Mesut doing the coin toss
Emery putting Chambers at right back- do the Arsenal ever learn??
Put f’n Mustafi over there and Chambers in the center and see what he can do!
Yes, Medley on the left with Willock in front of him. Anyone, but those other two on the left.
Jenko a loyal soldier but extremely limited, there has to be someone in the under 23’s that can play there.
Wanted to see John Jules and Martinelli in the lineup.
Haha the coin toss, Fred 😆
The cb just let midfielder just waltz in for an easy header with 3 Arsenal players around. Does anyone really organize the defense??
Mustafi attacks the ball, misses and gives the runner an easy straight path to the goal…
Hi all
Fred are you going to treat us to a match report again on tonight’s game?
Olayinka and Burton need to screen better they basically running through our midfield
What has happened to Emile Smith Rowe?
He does not seem to have gone on the tour?
Surely he is not going to go by the wayside like bielik?
Nothing I am seeing here is showing me that the defense is going to be anything but porous.
Smith Rowe is injured.
ESR has travelled to America, but is injured…
I enjoyed that first half – Eddie’s on fiyah 🔥
Evening Peaches…
Something to think about, Emery teams have allowed 55.5 and 50.3 average goals conceded per season at Valencia and Sevilla, different league I know, but same games played. Obviously different caliber of teams and budget, yet still the nagging feeling.
He is not a coach to improve our defense. My lousy opinion, especially since the Arsenal are going to start the season without Kos. My oh My…..
Thanks
Laca with nice touch pass to Eddie.
All the kids finally on.
Willock on the receiving end of another fine pass by Laca.
of course peaches
martenelli though, him and Nketiah future front line looking great
Nice goal from Willock 👌
If only that had gone in from Martinelli (he looks gooood!)
Enjoyed that.. and a clean sheet.. bloody hell it’s unheard of!
Nice one boys 👏
Hi Peaches or Rasp should i post the Review here or email directly to you all
Trust me mustafi and monreal tried hard for us not to get it
Just seen brief highlights, great run and shot by Martinelli, they’ll be going the right side of the post very soon, I’m sure of that.
Great finishing by Eddie and another nice goal by JW, also enjoyed the celebrations of the kids and Lacazette, they all seem to be having a great time…
Whilst I read and understand the concerns over our defence and whilst it’s early days in terms of preparations and fitness, it’s still an impressive 3 games, 3 wins, 8 goals for, only 1 against.
Despite all the issues we have with our club, the ownership, the coach, the management, the board, no CL, all that stuff, I’m really encouraged by our kids and the fact that Emery is using them.
Regardless of all the negative guff we’re bombarded with, for me, next season is all about the youngsters and how they’re gonna be integrated, that’s what I’m really looking forward to seeing.
All the rest is just noise…
Fred
Thanks for the match report.
Just like Allezkev, and many others on the blog, happy most with use of yoof. Saka proving you are never too young and that Freddie’s advice to bulk up is working. Showed some real strength. Still believe in Holding, Mavrapanos and Medley( let alone Saliba) and Sokratis, we have five CBs better and more worthy than MustaveatrytocuttheballouteventhoughIamoutofpositionandtooslow.
Nacho is not a centre back, but can still do a job as a left back – his position.
although Monreal is not a CB is a foootballer and those bad passes he made should be only for someone playing sunday league football
Morning all
I’ve pinched Fred’s comment about the game to use as a post today. Back in a bit ……
There’s a New Post …………………