Unai Emery has challenged Granit Xhaka to change the perception Arsenal fans have of him after the midfielder was named club captain.
The Switzerland midfielder was confirmed as skipper on Friday, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang his immediate deputy, and Hector Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil next in the hierarchy.
Xhaka, who turned 27 on Friday, being handed the armband has been a cause of consternation among Arsenal fans, many of whom jeered him when he was brought off during last week’s comeback 3-2 win over Aston Villa.
But head coach Emery, who put the decision to a vote among the squad before confirming his decision, backed Xhaka’s leadership skills and wants him to win the fans over.
Emery’s decision comes just three days before Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to face a Manchester United side that have won just once in five Premier League outings.
But the Spaniard said the timing of the announcement is purely because he did not want to take a vote while the squad was being assembled.
Emery sounded a warning to Xhaka and the rest of his leadership team that being captain does not guarantee a starting berth.
Nigerian crossdresser, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, popularly known as Bobrisky, has become embroiled in a scandal following revelations about his brief…
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has introduced free education for all students in public primary and secondary schools across…
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to rejuvenate six national museums as part of efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s cultural heritage.…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed fresh charges against former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, accusing him…
The value of foreign exchange turnover in Nigeria's Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market surged to N15.74tn ($9.90bn) in August 2024, according…
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu,…