Paul Merson didn’t agree with the suggestion that Gabriel Magalhaes should be Arsenal’s next captain if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is axed, as he told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (11/12/21 at 2:10 pm).
Another day at Arsenal and another captain that is being questioned by the club’s supporters.
On Saturday, Mikel Arteta dropped Aubameyang for Arsenal’s matchday squad that faced Southampton for a ‘disciplinary breach’, as he told Sky Sports.
It has left Arsenal’s leader a bit red-faced and questions being asked about whether he can continue in his current role.
Suggestions were flying everywhere about who could possibly take the armband from the out-of-form striker.
Merson agreed that perhaps Kieran Tierney should have been captain, and still could be, when Aubameyang first got the role.
But when former Premier League defender Michael Dawson suggested fellow centre-back, Gabriel, should be considered, the ex-Gooner was ‘not happy’ with that idea, according to his fellow Sky pundit.
Before that, ex-Premier League striker, Clinton Morrison, explained why Aubameyang was captain in the first place.
“That’s why he gave it to Aubameyang (the armband),” said Morrison. “Because he delivered on the pitch scoring goals. And there was no-one else.”
Merson then added: “You could give it to Tierney. Bar that.”
“Maybe Tierney, he could have had it. That’s a good shout. Who would you pick out of that to be your captain? Bar Tierney? It’s a difficult one.”
Michael Dawson then answered: “Gabriel, the centre-half.”
Merson could be heard in the background saying “Oh, no.” to which Dawson responded by saying “Merse isn’t happy with it.”
Granit Xhaka didn’t exactly win over any supporters when he was captain and things haven’t become any better with Aubameyang.
After being dropped for the north London derby last season for disciplinary issues, it’s hard to see Aubameyang continue leading the side.
This is a young Arsenal team and it’s clearly sending out the wrong message to all at the club.
Therefore, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Arteta hand the armband to a new face before their next game, which is against West Ham on Wednesday.
Perhaps it will be Alexandre Lacazette because he was leading the team out – and scoring – during their thumping win against Southampton over the weekend.
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