BBC pundit says it’s sad ‘outstanding’ Arsenal player won’t be made the new captain by Arteta

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Garth Crooks has suggested that it is sad that Bukayo Saka won’t be made Arsenal’s next captain with his comments on BBC Sport.

Arsenal’s next captain

Arsenal are searching for a new skipper, with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang recently being stripped of the role.

Mikel Arteta still hasn’t confirmed his side’s new leader, although Alexandre Lacazette has worn the armband in recent times.

But Saka, who Crooks has named in his Team of the Year, has been touted as a potential candidate by a few.

The Arsenal youngster may not be the most vociferous, but he certainly leads by example.

However, Crooks doesn’t think that Arsenal will turn to the 20-year-old due to his age.

“He’s handled the disappointment of his penalty miss in the Euro 2020 final brilliantly. This was helped, of course, by the support Saka received from fans all over the country whenever he appeared for the Gunners,” Crooks said.

“The Arsenal star has been consistently outstanding throughout the year and has easily been the Gunners’ best player. His two goals at Norwich were testament to why Arsenal have put an amazing run together and find themselves sitting comfortably in the top four.

“He’s still only 20 and sadly too young to take the captain’s armband, but it’s only a matter of time.”

Big risk?

It would indeed be somewhat of a gamble to hand such responsibility to a player so young.

But Arsenal do have a limited amount of other options who they can turn to right now.

Lacazette has been favoured to wear the armband, but doubts remain over his future – with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Elsewhere Martin Odegaard has been tipped as a potential candidate, but he is only two years older than Saka. 

Arsenal could give the armband back to Granit Xhaka, but that would be a controversial choice, given the circumstances in which he lost the captaincy last time.

Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale are another two players who could come into Arteta’s thinking, but both are fairly new at the Emirates Stadium – and also aren’t blessed with a wealth of experience.

It will be important that Arteta does make the right choice when selecting his new captain though.

Arsenal have passed the armband around far too regularly in recent times, and will want to find a leader they can rely on for the years ahead with their latest pick.