Mikel Arteta hints at reinstating Granit Xhaka as Arsenal’s captain

Granit Xhaka fell out with the Arsenal fans in their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace a few months back and this situation saw him lose the captain’s title hence it being given to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. After this incident, it was obvious that Granit Xhaka would be on his way out of Arsenal in January but Mikel Arteta’s arrival has changed everything.

Granit Xhaka was heavily linked with a move away from Arsenal in the past few weeks due to the booing that he received from his own fans but Mikel Arteta confirmed that the Swiss international would stay at the Emirates Stadium, and also revealed how the player is important to the playstyle that he wants to implement at Arsenal.

Granit Xhaka has started rebuilding the relationship between him and the fans and Arsenal’s head coach Mikel Arteta was asked if he would reinstate Granit Xhaka as captain. Mikel Arteta didn’t give an outright “no” as the answer but he however claimed that time will tell, hinting that it is possible.

“I don’t know, time will tell that. Now he’s happy to stay here, he’s completely committed and that’s a big plus today.” Mikel Arteta told Football.London.

Granit Xhaka is a well-respected individual in the Arsenal dressing room as most of the players say that he is a natural leader but it really would come as a big surprise if he’s given back the captaincy in the midst of the season. For now, Granit Xhaka is now in good terms with the Arsenal supporters as it looks like Mikel Arteta is using him in a position that plays to his strengths.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the current captain of Arsenal but with him, everyone knows that this is temporary as he has refused to sign a new contract and is attracting interest from a number of top European clubs.