Granit Xhaka Unveiled As Arsenal Permanent Captain

Arsenal manager Ole Gunnar Solkjaer has unveiled midfielder player Granit Xhaka as the team's new permanent captain. He succeeded Laurent Koscielny who left the club this summer to join Ligue 1 side, Bordeaux.

Laurent did not join Arsenal in their preseason tour in his bid to end his nine-year spell in the Premier League for him to return to his home league, which he did eventually after signing a £4.6million deal with the Ligue 1 side in August.

The Swiss will be assisted in the role by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyan as his first assistant, followed by Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil.

Speaking about the Xhaka after their 3-2 home defeat to Aston Villa last week, Emery described the 27-year-old as one well experienced and mature amongst his teammate.

"He is mature and he has experience and we are living every time under pressure, under criticism as a coach as a player," Emery said. " But really the most important thing is to stand up each moment, go ahead with his quality and his behaviour."