Arsenal FC: Who Should Serve as Gunners' Captain This Season?

Michael Cummings@MikeCummings37X.com LogoWorld Football Lead WriterJuly 18, 2012

Arsenal FC: Who Should Serve as Gunners' Captain This Season?

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    Arsenal face an uncertain future after Robin van Persie's announcement that he will not sign a new contract with the club.

    One issue facing the Gunners and manager Arsene Wenger is the identity of the club's skipper for the upcoming season. Van Persie may yet remain with Arsenal for the final year of his contract, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll keep the captain's armband during that time.

    With that in mind, here are seven choices for Wenger as he decides—or, rather, if he needs to decide—who will serve as Arsenal's captain this season.

    Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Robin van Persie

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    Robin van Persie inherited the captaincy last summer following the departure of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona.

    Earlier this month, Van Persie announced he would not sign a new contract with the club. His current deal runs through the 2012-13 season.

    Arsenal could hold onto Van Persie this summer (Goal.com) and risk losing him next summer on a free transfer. If that's the case, RvP could still serve as captain for the upcoming season.

    Such a move might convince Van Persie to stay longer. The recent history of the Arsenal captaincy, however, would suggest otherwise.

    If RvP does stay for another season, he will probably hold onto the captain's armband.

Thomas Vermaelen

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    Thomas Vermaelen served as vice-captain for Robin van Persie last season, and though his form suffered near the end of the campaign, part of that had to do with injuries.

    Vermaelen, a 26-year-old Belgian international defender, arrived at Arsenal from Ajax in 2009. His first season was a success, but his second was almost entirely wiped out by injury.

    He returned for the 2011-12 campaign and underlined his credentials as a solid defender with a knack for getting forward into the attack.

    Injuries and defensive performance are concerns, but Vermaelen seems like the obvious choice to succeed RvP, should the Dutch forward leave Arsenal this summer.

Laurent Koscielny

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    Thomas Vermaelen served as Arsenal's vice-captain last season, but Frenchman Laurent Koscielny was probably the Gunners' best all-around defender.

    Koscielny's improved performances earned him the respect of Gooners and a call-up to France's Euro 2012 squad.

    Heading into his third season as an Arsenal player, Koscielny, 26, seems to have a bright future ahead of him. The captaincy could be his if he sticks around and keeps improving.

Alex Song

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    Alex Song already has a strong argument to be Arsenal's next captain.

    Still just 24, Song has been with Arsenal since 2006. Last season the Cameroon international forged a memorable attacking relationship with forward Robin van Persie and served as a rock in the middle of Arsenal's midfield.

    Song's performances have led to rumors of interest from Barcelona (via Daily Mirror), and that's a depressingly familiar theme for Gooners.

    What's more encouraging, however, is the way Song has continued to mature in Arsenal colors.

Tomas Rosicky

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    Tomas Rosicky experienced something of a career renaissance last season, turning around his fortunes from that of underachieving has-been into a classy, crafty veteran.

    The strong performances continued at Euro 2012 until an injury ended Rosicky's campaign.

    The Czech midfielder should be back to full fitness in time for the season, and if Van Persie does leave, Rosicky could be an unexpected but potentially shrewd choice for Arsenal's next captain.

Mikel Arteta

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    Mikel Arteta is yet another midfielder who would make a good Arsenal captain.

    Arteta, a 30-year-old Spaniard, joined Arsenal only last summer but quickly proved integral to the team's success.

    With Arteta in the midfield alongside Alex Song, Arsenal played their best football last season. Without Arteta, the Gunners struggled to win.

    Arteta often showed the ability to influence a game from the midfield, and against Manchester City, he showed he can also serve as a match-winner.

    Arsenal could do much worse than Arteta as captain.

Wojciech Szczesny

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    At 22, Polish keeper Wojciech Szczesny is still young. Maturity both on and off the field is an issue.

    Szczesny, however, has established himself as Arsenal's undisputed No. 1 keeper (though he wears the No. 13 jersey). He is also steadily earning a spot among the Premier League's best.

    The captain's armband might be premature this summer, but Szczesny could serve as captain one day.

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