With Mikel Arteta reportedly set to retire at the end of the season and take up a coaching role, Chelsea legend Petr Čech is in contention for the Arsenal captaincy.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal career has not been as successful as he would have hoped, and part of the reason for that has definitely been the Spaniard’s troubles with injury. The 33-year-old is currently the club captain, but vice-captain Per Mertesacker has worn the armband for a majority of the games due to the former Everton midfielder’s unavailability.
According to the Daily Mirror, Chelsea’s legendary goalkeeper Petr Čech could be given the captaincy next season, if Per Mertesacker loses his place in Arsène Wenger’s starting line-up. Mertesacker, 31, will likely have to fight for his spot next season with the likes of Gabriel Paulista, as well as any other centre-halves Arsenal may sign in the summer.
The report also claims that Arteta could retire this summer and take up a coaching role, although whether or not that would be at Arsenal has not been specified. Among the other options Wenger has, Laurent Koscielny and Theo Walcott stand out in particular, with both men having led the Gunners out on the pitch previously.
Čech experience and winning record makes him the ideal candidate
As one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the Premier League, there are few players more deserving of the captaincy at Arsenal than Petr Čech. The shot-stopper has always been a dignified and well-respected figure, and given the manner in which Gunners’ fans have warmed to him, there is little doubt that he would be a popular choice.
The Czech Republic international has 12 clean sheets this season in the league — more than any other keeper — and has been one of Arsenal’s stand-out performers. Having already won the Premier League on multiple occasions and having played a crucial role in Chelsea’s Champions League final victory in Munich in 2012, Čech also has experience at the highest level that cannot be matched by any other member of the Arsenal first-team squad.
Wenger may start phasing out Mertesacker next season, and as such, the Chelsea legend would be an ideal choice for club captain.
