Last season we made van Persie our captain when everyone was saying it'd be a bad idea and it went on to inspire him to his best season ever with us. When he left we were obviously gutted but at the same time all unanimously called for Vermaelen to be our captain. Since given this honour he's been in awful form. His decision making has been poor and he just doesn't look although he's concentrating in matches. I know it's just an armband but it's crazy how it makes such a big difference to player's form. Gallas was a far better performer when he was stripped of the captaincy.
It also leaves us with the frustrating problem of needing to drop an out of form Vermaelen but not being able to because he's our captain. I wouldn't have made him captain in the first place due to the fact he's our third best centre back. I couldn't honestly come up with a better option though, our players are far too inconsistent, injury prone or mentally weak to be able to select a proper captain. Very, very annoying.
Woes of Captaincy
posted on 7/11/12
give it to jack and get it over with
posted on 7/11/12
It has to go to Wilshere IMO.
People still think Cesc wasn't a great captain. I disagree. Apart from the very last month as an arsenal player, during which you could see he didn't want to be there, I think he did a brilliant job. The guy inspired us whenever he was on the pitch. You can't ask for more from a captain IMO.
I feel Wilshere can inspire us too simply because he's very talented, has that bite about him like Cesc did (not afraid to act like a when he has to, and certainly barks out orders. He's perfect.
Kamran is right, we give it to Arteta and we'll be in the same situation within a year or two.
posted on 7/11/12
Problem with wilshere is he is still young, how do we know he is mature enough for the role. He does seem like a future captain in the making though, he plays with his heart.
posted on 7/11/12
I just wish Frimpong was a little bit more talented, older and wiser, would love to have a captain on the pitch who cares as much as he does. It's what we really miss.
posted on 7/11/12
Wilshere cares a lot too, arguably the most. So far, he's played about 3 games and it looks like he screams/gives out more instructions than anybody else.
Yesterday you could see him order Per, a 27 year old German international with a load of caps, to mark his man more tightly from a corner. I loved that.
posted on 7/11/12
I know Wilshere cares he's just arguably too young to give the armband to just yet, but it's an immediate problem! Worries me we're giving it all to him on a plate too early also, maybe he'll want more of a challenge when City come knocking!
posted on 7/11/12
Szczesny is another candidate. Goes crazy at the defence everytime we concede, shows his passion. Always pushing people around during set pieces, and he's one of the reasons we improved so much from them last year. He's definitely a leader.
posted on 7/11/12
Wilshere is the stand out candidate.
posted on 7/11/12
"Last season we made van Persie our captain when everyone was saying it'd be a bad idea and it went on to inspire him to his best season ever with us."
The biggest mistake in Arsenal's history. I have to admit that.
posted on 7/11/12
Is this really a complicated issue?
If V5 plays bad, bench him. Benching him does not mean his captaincy is stripped.
Team captain is still him, even sitting on the bench because of injury or bad performances. If he is benched, Arteta is the captain (in that specific game). That's why we need alternate captain(s).