Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has sent out a warning to club captains including Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Spaniard, who is on his second week in charge of the Gunners, has demanded 100 percent commitment from his ‘group of leaders’ as exit rumors linking the Gabon international with an exit gather pace.
The former Borussia Dortmund star has 18 months left on his contract, and he stalling on extending the deal, with rumors rife that he is keen on jumping ship.
Arteta, who spoke before their Monday night’s FA Cup tie against Leeds, indicated he is not overly concerned with the situation, saying they can strike an agreement.
“At the moment, I think everything is okay,” he said.
“It’s not the time for me to change things in place now because I haven’t seen the real things to make those decisions.
“But the more stability we generate with our captain – and players in the squad – the more clarity we’re going to have to transmit to the fans what we’re trying to do.”
Arsenal has a group of five captains that was installed by former manager Unai Emery, which include Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette, Hector Bellerin, and Granit Xhaka.
Arteta has no issue with having such a big group of players as ‘captains’ but noted it can only be bad if they form cliques that can tear the team down.
“I’ve been in clubs where we had four or five captains. It’s more a leadership group than captains,” explained the ex-Man City number two
“In the end, one guy wears the armband. After that, the team picks the leaders. When someone talks, they listen – or they’re looking at the roof. That’s when you see,” he added.
Arsenal host Leeds on Monday night with a fourth-round ticket up for grabs and Arteta is expected to give a host of young guns the chance to shine.
Source:Futaa