Mertesacker to be named Arsenal captain & some fans aren't happy

The Euros are over and attention turns back to club football. Arsenal fans would be hoping that the bulk of the club's energy is spent on reinforcements but there is one internal matter that required some thought — the captaincy.

Reports surfaced as early as February that Wenger would overlook his vice-captain, Per Mertesacker, in favour of Laurent Koscielny or veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech to assume the retiring Arteta's mantle as Arsenal skipper.

Whilst the captaincy is seen as an honour Wenger has never placed too special a status to the captain's armband in terms of leadership. Or so the narrative goes. Bypassing Mertesacker would be a move away from Wenger's 8 year commitment to consistency and inheritance. Perhaps the manager regretted his decision not to appoint Gilberto as club captain and has elected continuity as his default manoeuvre.

Succession has the order of the day at Arsenal and it seems Wenger isn't going to change that so will confirm Mertesacker as the new club captain with Koscielny his deputy. The rumours of this has split the Arsenal fan base (what doesn't?)

Why Laurent Koscielny wasn't named Arsenal captain ahead of Per Mertesacker is bemusing.

— JORDAN✌️ (@Leachum) July 13, 2016

Per Mertesacker set to be named club captain?? The lad aint leader ffs Nice call from clueless arsene

— Jama JJ (@jama_wilshere) July 13, 2016

How can mertesacker even play let Alone be captain! If true Wenger really is a daft idiot! Surely not! Surely!!!!!

— Shamil (@Sham1l) July 13, 2016

don't know what sounds more ridiculous, the fact that William Gallas once wore the #10 jersey, or that Mertesacker is Arsenal's club captain

— Ein Junge (@truuee_bluuee) July 13, 2016

We all know I love Mertesacker but I even know he shouldn't be captain.

Petr Cech should be. No one else.

— Jak (@jak_heer) July 12, 2016

Mertesacker is the new captain! Well done Arsene
It's official: @Arsenal are out of the Premiere League title race next season #Arsenal

— Abdullah.Gooner (@PUREGOONER90) July 13, 2016

So Per Mertesacker is captain. I reacted badly like most, but we honestly don't have a suitable alternative right now...worrying times! #afc

— Clarke (@NaturalFootyFan) July 12, 2016

Mertesacker will be a good short term solution as captain. Let's see what Xhaka's like as he has potential to captain us one day.

— Matthew Burford (@MatthewBurford) July 12, 2016

Have no problem with Mertesacker being captain - would have been strange for him not to get it as he was vice this season.

— The Arsenal View (@TheArsenal13) July 13, 2016

Happy with Per Mertesacker becoming captain, experience wins for me. And he loves Arsenal.

— Sarah (@sarahknowles_xo) July 12, 2016

#Mertesacker as our next captain is a great choice. Love the BFG. https://t.co/0f1KUBPYg3

— Le Petit Pont (@Lewis_Fowler8) July 12, 2016

Arsenal Till I Die https://t.co/EZaDEn7lY5

— Bee (@Bureemi) August 16, 2014

What do you think about Mertesacker being official captain? Leave a comment below.Tell us what you think! If you agree, or have a different view, please leave a comment in the comments section or why not write a response or your own article on YouWrite?

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