Gunners captain must show true Art of leadership

MIKEL ARTETA insists he expects long-term commitment from every Arsenal skipper – including striker Pierre-emerick Aubameyang.

The Gunners’ prolific hitman – one of five captains chosen for the campaign by previous manager Unai Emery – has worn the armband in Arteta’s opening two games.

The new Emirates head coach is keeping faith with Aubameyang, despite talks breaking down on extending the Gabon international’s contract, which has 18 months left. For now, Arteta is unconcerned. But, ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round home tie with Leeds, the Spaniard hinted that would change if the stalemate dragged on.

Asked about Aubameyang’s position as captain, he said: “At the moment, I think everything is OK.

“It’s not the time for me to change things in place now because I haven’t seen the real things to make those decisions.

“But the more stability we generate with our captain – and players in the squad – the more clarity we’re going to have to transmit to the fans what we’re trying to do.”

Bursting with pride is how Arteta felt when first named Arsenal captain by Arsene Wenger – out of the blue – seven years ago. That, coincidentally, was in the FA Cup, against Championship side Leeds, a clash best remembered for Thierry Henry’s late winner days after being re-signed on loan.

Arteta, 37, recalled: “I didn’t know about it. I arrived there and the armband was next to my shirt. I asked Arsene, ‘Boss, this is here, is it a mistake?’ and he said, ‘No, no, you’re the captain’.

“It felt incredible as I hadn’t been here long. He put a lot of faith in me when I’d just arrived. I was very privileged and honoured.”

Arteta reckons having such a large gang of captains at the club is not a problem – unless it leads to divisive cliques.

Ceiling

“I’ve been in clubs where we had four or five captains. It’s more a leadership group than captains,” explained the former Manchester City No.2.

“In the end, one guy wears the armband. After that, the team picks the leaders. When someone talks, they listen – or they’re looking at the ceiling. That’s when you see.

“Leadership is related to how a team lives together. Different groups – with different leaders that are not in the best interest of the group – is what I want to avoid.

“We have some who are more leaders on the pitch, some more outside the pitch. We want to bring them all together.”