Arsenal have confirmed that Per Mertesacker will be the new club captain this season, but it wasn’t met with widespread approval from supporters.
The German defender replaces Mikel Arteta who left the club earlier this summer, but he will have to wait before wearing the captain’s armband as he is currently sidelined with an injury.
While he’s expected to be ruled out of action until the turn of the year, it remains to be seen who it passes on to with Santi Cazorla appointed vice-captain but also likely to miss the start of the campaign as he continues to find match fitness after being out with injury for a large period of last season.
Nevertheless, the reaction to Mertesacker’s appointment has been mixed, with some praising his leadership skills as a perfect reason for him to be captain, while others are concerned about his lack of playing time…
Arsenal club captain is Mertesacker and the vice is Cazorla. The two of them raising a trophy together will be nice to watch
— Balerion (@Rocstarsupanova) August 13, 2016
As I wrote a month ago, Per Mertesacker has been named club captain of #Arsenal – Leader and liked in dressing room. https://t.co/BJhD8sHqNs
— Daniel Cutts (@Journo_Slash) August 13, 2016
Mertesacker captain? WTF – I swear Wenger tries to piss us off. Mertesacker should not even be starting if Mustafi comes in #Arsenal
— KingGööner (@NickMKingGooner) August 13, 2016
Congratulations @mertesacker. Respected figure inside the Arsenal dressing room. https://t.co/T6WleEsNFq pic.twitter.com/KoZ2yb0uGI
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) August 13, 2016
Congratulations to Per Mertesacker on becoming Arsenal captain. A boyhood dream – which has come true! pic.twitter.com/FeXfMvkEKp
— Dan Chapman. (@iDanTheGunner) August 13, 2016
Mertesacker will captain the club for the 2016/17 season.
He'll be back in 2017.
— Danny Welbeck (@WelBeast) August 13, 2016
Feels weird that we keep giving captaincies to players who aren't/won't be starting for us. Vermaelen, Arteta and now Mertesacker.
— Tyron (@tlmfootball) August 13, 2016
Only plus side of Mertesacker being captain is that history tells us he'll play about 5 games a season
— – (@AttackingMid) August 13, 2016
Mertesacker should never even start for us. Another horrendous choice.
— GoonRambler (@GoonRambler) August 13, 2016