Granit Xhaka ‘handed leadership role in Mikel Arteta’s new-look

According to a report from The Athletic, Xhaka and new signing Gabriel Jesus have been nominated by Arteta to serve in squad leadership roles at the Gunners.

Xhaka and Jesus will serve alongside captain Martin Odegaard as part of the core leadership group at Arsenal, and will also be called upon to take the armband if the former Real Madrid midfielder is absent.

The news is significant for Xhaka as it comes after he was stripped of the captaincy following an incident at Crystal Palace that nearly brought an end to his career in North London.
The Swiss midfielder had been chosen by then-boss Unai Emery to take over from departing stalwart Laurent Koscielny as the club’s captain but his ill-fated stint with the armband would last just one month.

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After being substituted by Emery with the Gunners drawing 2-2 with Crystal Palace at the Emirates, Xhaka was booed by supporters as he left the pitch. In response, the Switzerland international swore at the home fans before walking straight down the tunnel.

Emery would immediately strip Xhaka of the captaincy following the incident, and would go on to leave the midfielder out of the squad for the next three Premier League games, leaving his future at the club in doubt