Xhaka’s future in doubt as Aubameyang takes armband

GRANIT XHAKA has been sensationally stripped of the Arsenal captaincy, with head coach Unai Emery refusing to give him any assurances over his Emirates future after leaving him out of the squad for today’s Europa League trip to Vitoria. Emery informed midfielder Xhaka that he would no longer lead the club yesterday, following his extraordinary fallout with the club’s fans. The Swiss responded furiously to being jeered when substituted against Crystal Palace ten days ago, storming off the pitch and telling Arsenal supporters to ‘f*** off ’. Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the new captain but as he has also not travelled to Portugal, Hector Bellerin will lead the side in a game brought forward by 28 hours to avoid a traffic clash with nearby Braga. Emery said: ‘I decided he is not one of the captains in our group.’