Rob Holding and Calum Chambers in frame to be part of new Arsenal captaincy group

UNAI EMERY has revealed he wants an Englishman to be one of Arsenal’s captains next season. And the Mail claim Rob Holding or Callum Chambers could be given the armband after two of last year’s five Gunners skippers left the club. Petr Cech and Aaron Ramsey were in the captaincy group last season – as […]

UNAI EMERY has revealed he wants an Englishman to be one of Arsenal’s captains next season.

And the Mail claim Rob Holding or Callum Chambers could be given the armband after two of last year’s five Gunners skippers left the club.

Petr Cech and Aaron Ramsey were in the captaincy group last season – as was rebel Laurent Koscielny.

But with the former now away from the Emirates, and the Frenchman on strike, Emery needs to form a new pool of potential skippers.

Granit Xhaka is the favourite to take over from Koscielny, whose attempt to force his Arsenal exit will most likely see him stripped of the captaincy.

And that opens up a possibility of Holding or Chambers being given the honour of leading the team on and off the pitch.

I want one English player in these five captains. An English player who grew up in our academy can understand the English spirit and Arsenal values.

Unai Emery

Emery has revealed he wants somebody who “understand the English spirit and Arsenal values” to captain his side.

He said: “In a captain I look for experience of leadership, being an example on and off the pitch, character and communication with the coach and other players, capacity to speak and to be there for supporters, a good connection and communication with the club.

“I want one English player in these five captains. An English player who grew up in our academy can understand the English spirit and Arsenal values. These are the qualities and more [we want].

“Last year Xhaka, Mesut and Nacho were working as captains. But after Aaron Ramsey and Petr Cech left – and possibly Laurent Koscielny – I will want more.”

Emery added his youngsters are ready to take up the role of a team leader and confirmed they are already being considered for the captaincy.

He said: “We lost some players with big experience and a long time in England and Arsenal like Cech and Ramsey. We lost Koscielny too.

“They started one day being captain when they were young. We have young players with experience, players starting for the first time to be considered as captains.

“If we decide on a player they have the capacity and deserve to have the opportunity to be captain.”