Mikel Arteta drops hint over Arsenal captain decision with "confusing" admission

Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal have captaincy issues – and insists he will take his time appointing the next one "the way I want to do it" this summer.

Former skipper Granit Xhaka seemed to refuse the armband when current captain Alexandre Lacazette was taken off in the 2-1 win over Brentford.

Kieran Tierney ended up taking on the mantle instead, with all three players plus Rob Holding part of Arteta's leadership group.

But with Lacazette's future uncertain as his contract runs out in the summer, the Arsenal boss will have to name a new permanent skipper.

Arteta said: "There is a defined hierarchy. Granit said Kieran is next in line and that is why he gave it to Kieran. I think Kieran was really proud of it.

"Rob is there as well, as the second one when he is playing. It is not easy. I understand it’s confusing.

"But you have to understand we have a lot of issues and more captaincy issues… I guarantee that is not what we need. I think you make too much of the armband."

Lacazette became captain after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the honour over disciplinary matters.

Who should be Arsenal's next captain? Tell us your pick in the No.1 comments section.

Under former boss Unai Emery, players were allowed to vote on who should wear the armband – but that doesn't look like happening this time.

Arteta said: "There will be a thorough process in the summer, when we have time, when we have no competitions.

"We will do it the right way; the way I want to do it."

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