Theo Walcott Holding Arsenal Captaincy Highlights Larger Issue

Arsenal was captained by Theo Walcott for his ten year anniversary at the club and while that is no big deal, the bigger issue it highlights is a big deal.

To commemorate Theo Walcott’s ten years with the team, he was handed the captain’s armband by Arsene Wenger. Instead of our usual German captain, the Gunners went sentimental and while it caused quite the uproar on social media, the big picture issues that this move highlights are what we should be talking about. That, and the fact that Mertesacker clearly imploded without the armband.

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Theo Walcott’s continued stay at Arsenal deserves a pat on the back and a handshake. The fact that he got the armband is not necessarily an egregious crime, but it is a tad bit alarming and as mentioned, indicative of a bigger issue.

For too long, Arsenal’s captain’s armband has meant nothing more than a gold star sticker or a smiley face emoticon. Look at Arsenal’s recent captains. Walcott, Arteta, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, they all have one thing in common – they were not what you would typically expect a captain to be.

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Look at the captain’s on other teams. Chelsea have John Terry. Manchester United have Wayne Rooney. Liverpool had Steven Gerrard. All of these captains have one clear thing in common – they embody the team. They are the heart and soul of that squad. They are not one-off captains, they were long term captains that served a purpose.

If Mikel Arteta is the heart and soul of Arsenal than we need a double transplant. He is nothing more than a mentor, yet he still gets handed the band when he takes the pitch. Likewise, if Mertesacker is the heart and soul of Arsenal, we have huge problems as well. He is a liability at times.

Arsenal’s captain armband needs to serve a purpose but until they give it to someone that can make a difference with it, then the armband will continue to be completely inconsequential. It leaves Arsenal with no leader on the pitch and that can be a bit problematic when a scrum breaks out or when Arsenal need a bit of direction. Mertesacker, Arteta and Walcott are not going to provide what they need.

By that standard, it’s not like Arsenal have that many ideal captain candidates. Jack Wilshere would be if he could stay healthy but until he can do that and put his off-field issues behind him (which he may already have) then he eliminates himself. Koscielny is not a bad option but even he is getting older and won’t be the captain for long. Giroud provides an interesting option but age is an issue with him as well. Then there is Alexis Sanchez, who could also be a contender.

There are two options that make the most sense though, yet neither one is perfect. Those two are Aaron Ramsey and Francis Coquelin. Both have been with Arsenal since a young age. Both have reason to love the club and both hold the faith of Arsene Wenger. Similarly, both have a central role and both are young enough to hold the captaincy for years to come.

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However, they are not the perfect solutions. Ramsey, despite how fantastic he has been, still has to fend off Santi Cazorla when he returns. Francis Coquelin can also be a bit brutish at times, although that trait is fading quickly.

It may be nothing more than a cloth band, but that is all it will ever be if it is not taken seriously and Arsenal definitely do not take it seriously. In the case of van Persie, Fabregas and Henry it was the kiss of death, as the three combined to be captain for just six years before moving on. Vieira could fall in that category as well.

I have no problem given the circumstances that Theo Walcott was handed the armband. However, I do have a problem with the fact that it was able to simply be handed to someone as a cute little one-off trophy for lasting ten years at the club. That is not what the captain’s armband is meant for. It is meant to be a sign of a leader. All it means is that Arsenal are lacking in leadership.

That sentiment is highlighted by Arsene Wenger telling SkySports that Arsenal’s leaders are Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker. I have already covered Mertesacker’s inability to serve as captain, but I do not believe Ozil to be a strong candidate either. He is a fantastic player but he does his best work from the background. Giving him the captain’s armband puts him front and center and that is not his gig.

Ramsey has expressed an interest in being Arsenal’s captain and he has experience captaining Wales. Francis Coquelin is the most passionate man on this team and he is a strong presence on the pitch. Pick one.

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Arsenal need another Tony Adams. They need a decade-long captain to restore the power that that armband should have.