Alexandre Lacazette becomes new Arsenal captain

Alexandre Lacazette has officially been installed as Arsenal captain after donning the Gunners’ captaincy armband multiple times in the past following former player, Pierre Emmerick Aubameyang being stripped of the captaincy.

Mikel Arteta has mulled over the idea following Aubameyang’s move to Barcelona and has finally decided to make Lacazette the captain.

However, the Frenchman is set to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer when his contract expires.

And Arteta will once again have to reconsider the captaincy ahead of the 2022/23 season.

According to express.co.uk, Lacazette’s former club, Lyon, are keen on re-signing him and bringing him back to the French Ligue 1 this summer.

Arteta had previously created a leadership group designed to bridge the gap between players and the coaching staff.

The players in that group will act as Arsenal’s leaders both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

However, there has been an exodus of players from Arsenal; Aubameyang, David Luiz and Willian have all exited the club.

Granit Xhaka who has worn the captaincy band in the past is still considered to be one of Arteta’s leaders on and off the pitch.

Kieran Tierney, Gabriel Magalhaes, Aaron Ramsdale and Ben White will also be in the running for the captaincy this summer.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League fixture against Wolves at the Molineux Stadium on Thursday, Arteta reacted to Aubameyang’s comments, obviously a parting shot at Arteta during his Barcelona unveiling.

“My last few months at Arsenal were complicated, that’s football sometimes,” Aubameyang said

“For my part, I never wanted to do anything wrong. My problem was only with Arteta. I can’t say much more, I wasn’t happy”.

Arteta however thanked Aubameyang for his services to the club, despite making it clear that the player was responsible for his own demise in North London.

“I’m extremely grateful for what Auba has done and his contribution,” Arteta said.

“The way I see myself in that relationship is the solution, not the problem.

“That’s his opinion [that Arteta was the main problem, that’s what he said and you have to respect that.”