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.
