Have Arsenal already decided who their next captain is?

The captain’s armband at Arsenal has been cursed. Whether at the wrong end of St Andrew’s in Birmingham or consigning he who holds to endless injuries or disciplinary issues, it’s becoming less of an enticing proposition to wear it than it has been down the years.

Alexandre Lacazette appears, for the moment, to have overcome its hoodoo. Unless it is preventing him from scoring, that is, in which case it is back in full force.

He will wear it against Crystal Palace and then in each of the remaining nine Premier League matches after that, with the question then turning to who will don it next.

As far as hints go, Kieran Tierney assuming the mantle every time the Frenchman departs the field of play is a fairly concrete indication. There was even the bizarre moment against Wolves when Granit Xhaka refused the responsibility and Eddie Nketiah was left to wander around aimlessly until a break of play saw him hand it over to the Scot.

Have Arsenal already decided who their next captain is? Kieran Tierney has been wearing the armband and it’s the biggest hint Arteta could give

Tierney has long-been tipped to take over the role, a movement majorly led by the fans who’ve grown an immediate affinity with the left-back over his do-or-die playing style, general quality, and down to earth demeanour away from the pitch. Whether it is shorts in the snow or Tesco shopping bags on the road, that unassuming and no frills attitude is particularly endearing.

Him being on the cusp of young and senior also puts him in an interesting spot, as while certainly of the younger age bracket at 24, him turning 25 years old in the summer would perhaps move him up a level.

If one was to put their money on whom it might be, Tierney would be a solid bet. Yet, he isn’t the typical captain. He isn’t boisterous like Xhaka, galvanising like Lacazette or loud an noticeable in the changing room like Aubameyang, with his approach more professional and performance-led.

Martin Odegaard is someone who is the technical and tactical leader on the pitch. But while he is many peoples’ pick for captain – with Aaron Ramsdale and Benjamin White not far behind – perhaps he is someone who wants to be that player at Arsenal without that additional role, one he already has for Norway.

Tierney clearly enjoys it. Furthermore, it may connect him more to the club having bid farewell to his life, friends, family and deep love for Celtic. That is his home, and his heart. It was always a tough move for him.

Mikel Arteta making sure it is Tierney who is next line could also be his way of easing the transition when the announcement is made. There will be no great surprises: Tierney is my man and the least amount of fuss made of it, the better. He only just signed a long-term deal last summer, too. All the pieces appear to fit.

It’s more than just the poplar pick, one that nobody would ever be unhappy with, as he’s a regular international, played Champions League football, and even captained one of the biggest clubs in Europe at stages.

Captain Kieran looks here to stay.