Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has stuck the knife into under-fire Arsenal boss Unai Emery. Keown feels the Spaniard is the route cause of the Granit Xhaka incident and that his decision to allow the players to vote for their own captain always ran the risk of the whole thing turning into a popularity contest. The ex-Gunner also added that the best candidate to take on the responsibility moving forward would be Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Keown wrote in his column for the Daily Mail: “Emery is as much to blame as anyone. If you let the players pick their skipper, then it becomes a popularity contest and that is not what leadership is about. I’ve never had a manager who decided the captaincy that way. For me, Aubameyang is still the safer bet.”
In light of Keown’s comments are the supporters on the same page?
Auba isn’t vocal and unless he gets service he can go missing. A leader has to be a communicator that doesn’t hide, and fights for every ball. Has to be one of Sokratis or Lacazette, and neither is the perfect option imo
— CA (@ChrisAndre6) October 29, 2019
How can you say it becomes a popularity contest then choose the most popular player ?????
— 1 man up ???? (@Chukuma_1) October 29, 2019
When the chips are down can you see Auba, and God knows i love the guy, screaming at Sokratis for a defensive error or at Ozil if he fails to track back? Luiz would probably be a better option.
— Jameskarue (@karuejames) October 30, 2019
Our captains always leave or not play. Pls dont pass the curse to Auba.
— Whistle blowing Obum (@obumneme) October 30, 2019
Aubameyang is a lazy footballer. He isn’t captain material
— undisputed truth (@Jamiebornagain) October 29, 2019
Aubameyang doesn’t deserve the captaincy
— Desmond217 (@217Desmond) October 30, 2019
What do we think?
Although Emery’s decision to let the players vote for their own captain wasn’t necessarily a popular one you could make the argument that the lack of a standout candidate is what drove the Spaniard to such a decision. However, as a Head Coach, the 47-year-old is paid to make tough and correct decisions.
There has been no official word on whether Xhaka will be stripped of the captaincy after what unfolded on Sunday but the general consensus is that it would be extremely difficult and, perhaps, unhelpful to him if he was to continue in the role. Given the untold abuse the Swiss international has received in the weeks proceeding the announcement, perhaps handing it to a fans favourite wouldn’t be such a bad idea.