Xhaka named Arsenal captain

Unai Emery has called on Granit Xhaka to stand up and win over his dissenters after naming the midfielder as his club captain.

Xhaka’s appointment on a permanent basis comes just a week after the 27-year-old was booed by his own supporters in the 3-2 win over Aston Villa.

Xhaka is a hugely popular figure in the dressing room and received the support of his team-mates in a secret ballot which helped Emery to decide upon his five captains for the campaign. The Arsenal head coach likes to spread the responsibility across the squad and has appointed top scorer Pierre-emerick Aubameyang as his vice-captain.

The leadership group is completed by Hector Bellerin, the fullback who made his long-term return from injury this week, striker Alexandre Lacazette and midfielder Mesut Ozil, who was also one of last year’s five captains.

The overhaul of Emery’s captaincy group follows the departures of Laurent Koscielny, Aaron Ramsey and Petr Cech.

“He is mature, he has experience,” said Emery of Xhaka. “We are living all the time under pressure and criticism, as coaches and players. The most important thing is to stand up each moment, go ahead with his quality and behaviour and commitment. In the dressing room the players voted for him as first leader.”

Asked about the jeers directed towards Xhaka against Villa, Emery said: “We want to change that opinion outside. The respect he has inside [the club] is very important.”