With Mikel Arteta departing Emirates Stadium this summer, Arsenal will need a new captain next season. While many thought that the role might go to an older veteran like Petr Cech or Per Mertesacker, Arsene Wenger has apparently chosen someone else entirely.
According to the Metro via France Football, defender Laurent Koscielny is expected to be named Arsenal captain for the 2016-17 season.
Koscielny is one of the longest-tenured Arsenal players on the roster, having made over 240 appearances for Arsenal since joining from Lorient in 2010.
There had been rumours that goalkeeper Petr Cech would be given the captain’s armband after the strong leadership he displayed in his first season with the club. Vice-captain Per Mertesacker was also in the running.
Koscielny would be the fourth French player to serve as Arsenal Day-One captain since countryman Arsene Wenger took over the team in 1996. Club legends Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and William Gallas were the other three.
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