PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG is revelling in his new role as the captain of Arsenal.
And now he wants to lead the club by following in the footsteps of legendary skippers Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is hoping to emulate the likes of Patrick Vieira and Tony Adams as a successful Arsenal managerCredit: Reuters
After being named one of the assistant captains following Unai Emery’s player poll, Aubameyang was promoted following Granit Xhaka’s extraordinary “f*** off” rant against Crystal Palace four weeks ago.
The Swiss star has not featured for the club since and was stripped of the armband – although his future at the club remains unclear with the manager keen to convince his midfielder to stay beyond January.
Now, though, the focus is on Aubameyang leading the line and leading the squad in his new permanent role.
Writing in today’s programme, Aubameyang said: “Arsenal has a great history of wonderful captains like Patrick Vieira and Tony Adams.
“It is a privilege to follow in their footsteps and I will honour the armband by doing my very best on and off the pitch.
“When I was younger, I remember always wanting to be captain in my youth teams.
“I was talking about it with my mum just the other day actually. We were laughing because we recalled how I used to buy armbands myself so I could wear them!
“At the start of my career, I was not too focused on being captain or not. Now, it feels right.
“It comes with a lot of responsibilities but I feel I can do a great job.”
Aubameyang captained the Gunners in their first Prem game after Xhaka’s meltdown, a 1-1 draw with Wolves, but it was Rob Holding who had the honours for the defeat at Leicester.
Today, it is the newly-appointed skipper who will lead the players out as Arsenal host Southampton, with Xhaka exiled from the matchday squad.
Auba does have plenty of experience of leading his team after being given the armband for the Gabon national team four years ago.
He added: “I have been Gabon captain since 2015 and that was also a great honour.
“My dad was also the national team captain when he was playing. So to take over from him in a way was again very special.
“Now, I am doing the double with Arsenal and Gabon and it is a wonderful privilege.”
Granit Xhaka was stripped of the captaincy following his rant at the Gunners supporters and was replaced by the Gabon skipperCredit: Getty – Contributor
Unai Emery explains why he gave Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the Arsenal captaincy
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
