Assessing Arsenal’s captaincy candidates if Thomas Vermaelen makes Manchester United move

4) Mikel Arteta

As mentioned above, Mikel Arteta has often been vice-captain for Arsenal in recent times, taking the armband in Vermaelen’s absence.

Still, the 32-year-old looks past his best now and perhaps isn’t the best choice to be captain if he won’t be playing regularly.

Arsenal’s transfer targets this summer suggest he may struggle to get into the side next season, so it would be a surprise if he was promoted to first choice skipper, even if he has been second choice for some time now.