Paul Merson has slammed Unai Emery for giving his players the right to pick their own captain.
The former Arsenal player believes the manager is unaware of who his best players are.
Merson wrote on his column on the Daily Star, “Why is Unai Emery asking his players to vote on who should be captain? It’s pathetic. Seriously. Make a decision! When you start worrying about what your players think, you’re in trouble. And why does he need FIVE captains anyway?
“Arsenal are one of the biggest clubs in the world but I don’t think he’s got a clue what his best team is. Granit Xhaka started off captain but he’s not a foregone conclusion to start every week. So I’ll tell you someone who should be – David Luiz. And that’s why he should be captain. Not as one of five either, but on his own. People look at his mistakes when they should be looking at what he’s won.
“The guy is a serial winner. Yes, he’s either a nine out of ten or a four out of ten every week. But he never hides whatever happens. I like that. That’s leading by example. Why not make him captain? He always comes across well and he was always a good influence on the young players at Chelsea. He was a leader there.
“It’s a big deal being captain of a big club. To have a “leadership group” of five players just devalues it. It’s like you don’t trust anyone enough to do it on their own. And asking players to vote is asking for trouble. What if they don’t take it seriously? It becomes a farce. It wouldn’t happen in a Sunday league team. I’m surprised he doesn’t give the fans a vote as well!
“Arsenal have had some legendary captains in the past, but it’s also a sign of how the game has changed that he’s chosen to do this. It’s quicker, more technical. But there aren’t as many leaders any more. When you look at the Invincibles, there were leaders everywhere in that team. Patrick Vieiria, Emanuel Petit, Sol Campbell. Big characters.
“But you’re just not going to see that many captains like a Tony Adams or a Vieira any more. How many times have you seen a team go behind this season in the Premier League and seen someone shouting at his players? It’s too nice.”
