Arsenal: 6 candidates to take captaincy after Aubameyang

2. Benjamin White

Signed in the summer for an eye-watering £50m, Arsenal’s decision to invest so heavily in Benjamin White was with the idea that he could become a club stalwart in central defence. That’s the goal of near enough every signing, but it was his emergence as an international footballer and suitability to the British core that urged the club to act.

As of yet, White hasn’t outright demonstrated much in the classic sense of ‘leadership’. He communicates on the pitch, of course, like every footballer should do, and oozes a confidence that is needed to take on such a role.

Him simply being a central defender will aid his case. Captains tend to be found through the spine of the team and historically some of the finest English skippers of the Premier League era have been central defenders. That symbolism may move him up a number of peoples’ lists.

But as someone who is generally considered quite shy away from the pitch and whose footballing life shuts off when he leaves the training ground (which is not in any way an issue) those minor aspects might work against him in this regard when compared to other players in the squad.

It’s entirely speculative, but would he even want it? Surely he would?

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