Unai Emery explains why he chose Aubameyang as Arsenal captain after the unceremonial sacking of Granit Xhaka.
Arsenal sacked Granit Xhaka from the post of captaincy after the ugly incident with fans at the Emirates Stadium during the match against Crystal Palace. The midfielder’s substitution was greeted with cheers and he was eventually booed as he walked off the pitch.
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Xhaka then proceeded to swear at the supporters leading to fans demanding he be removed as captain and some even suggested he be sold. He later apologised for the incident but still found himself sacked from his leadership role.
In the time since, prolific striker Aubameyang has taken over the armband. Manager Unai Emery has now explained why the forward has the job of leading the Gunners.
Unai Emery explains why he chose Aubameyang as Arsenal captain
Speaking ahead of their trip to the King Power stadium for their match against Leicester City, Emery said:
“He’s (Aubameyang) the captain.”
“Above all, I can remember how we did the process because last year the captains were Laurent Koscielny, Petr Cech, Aaron Ramsey and Nacho Monreal.
“They left the team – at the last moment as well, Koscielny. In that moment I decided, and also I used the characteristics to find a captain. After I started with Granit Xhaka because he has the quality to take the captain’s responsibility.
“Then after the issue, I decided it was better for him not to. Next in line is Aubameyang. The second after him is Bellerin, third is Lacazette and the fourth is Mesut Ozil.
“The first is Aubameyang because he has experience and he has the respect in the dressing room.
Aubameyang has the support of the club
“He was the top scorer last year in the Premier League and also I know he needs time to take that responsibility 100 per cent. But we are going to support him.
“Every player, we are going to support the four captains, and we are going to support him as our first captain because he has also made one extra step to achieve that responsibility.”
“But for example, yesterday Sokratis said everybody can take responsibility as a captain.
“We want to be a strong family here and I know for the supporters it is very important who is the first face, in front, with the captain’s responsibility.
“I decided to give it to Auba and everybody also agreed with that decision and now I am telling you he needs time to take that responsibility with confidence, but we give him that confidence; I give him that confidence. He has the quality and the values to do perfectly with that responsibility.”
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