Football writer Charles Watts has claimed that even though Aaron Ramsdale ‘ticks the boxes’, he should not be the new Arsenal captain.
Having been dropped from the Gunners’ most recent Premier League game, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has now been stripped of the captain’s armband, too.
The decision was taken after the striker failed to report back to England at the agreed time, having flown overseas to see his mother.
With Arsenal now looking for a new skipper, Ramsdale’s name has been suggested within some circles. However, while speaking on his YouTube channel, Watts said that even though he loves the player, he is too young to be given such responsibility.
He explained: “I’ve seen a few people talking about Aaron Ramsdale today being a possible Arsenal captain. I just can’t see it.
“Look, I love Aaron Ramsdale and what he’s done since he’s come in, his character, his personality, all that sort of stuff – kind of ticks the boxes for a captain. But he’s been at the club a couple of months, he’s a young kid.
“I mean, it’s just too early. You can’t put the Arsenal captaincy… I know Tony Adams was what, 18, when he took the Arsenal captaincy? But it’s just too early for Ramsdale. It just doesn’t seem like that’s a goer to me.”
TIF Thoughts on Aaron Ramsdale and Arsenal…
At just 23 years of age, Ramsdale certainly would be rather young to be given the captain’s armband. Of course, Cesc Fabregas and Tony Adams were both trusted with such responsibility at the young age of just 21.
Was it fair for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to lose the captain's armband?
Yes
No
However, these guys had been at the club from academy level. Ramsdale, on the other hand, only joined the Gunners in the past summer. His fine performances have certainly drawn plenty of praise and if he continues with such form, he may well be given the captaincy one day. But for now, it does seem a little premature, as Watts says.
It’s hard to know exactly who Mikel Arteta will choose to be the club’s next official captain. No doubt we will find out soon, but you can see why it would be a shock if his No 1 was to be named as Aubameyang’s successor.
In other news: ‘Arsenal are looking at’ – Charles Watts tips AFC to pursue target who’s ‘looking for a move’