Granit Xhaka insists Arsenal need leaders in different positions

Switzerland international Granit Xhaka has said that Arsenal need leaders in different positions rather than a single captain. The midfielder has been touted to become the new skipper with the anticipated departure of Laurent Koscielny but believes more than one player should take up the mantle of leading by example on the field.

Speaking to The Mirror, Xhaka said that manager Unai Emery has preferred to offer instructions to different players and last season, the likes of Koscielny, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Petr Cech were able to convey their thoughts when on the field of play. He added that the same trend should continue for the forthcoming campaign and the instructions don’t necessary have to come from the captain, he quipped: “You need more than five. All the teams have to be captains on the pitch. It’s not the guys who have the armband. Of course he looks good on the pitch because he has the armband but in the end we have to work and we have to speak all together on the pitch. It’s not only one player or two.”

Xhaka had a much better season under the guidance of Unai Emery last term, but he has still continued to possess the occasional tendency of switching off which has cost the team. Nonetheless, he continues to remain a regular under Emery plans and he could be backed to feature regularly for the club when the Premier League starts this month.

Arsenal have experienced an impressive transfer window where they have pursued the likes of Dani Ceballos and Nicolas Pepe, but there remain concerns with the lack of signings to strengthen the defence. Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney has been the subject of strong interest from the Gunners over the past month but the club have yet to find the breakthrough with the transfer deadline approaching.