Granit Xhaka has a complex history with the captain’s armband at Arsenal – but now the Switzerland midfielder feels he has reconnected with the club’s fanbase he believes he can lead without it.
The 29-year-old was stripped of the captaincy by former head coach Unai Emery in October 2019 after swearing at supporters who were cheering his substitution during a Premier League draw with Crystal Palace, an incident which led to death threats aimed at the player and his family.
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The issue was just one in a long list of problems for a string of Arsenal skippers, with the likes of Laurent Koscielny and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving the club under a cloud.
Xhaka has sported the armband since, including in Friday’s season-opening win at Palace, but only fleetingly when the regular captain is substituted.
Martin Odegaard was confirmed as Arsenal’s latest full-time captain on the eve of the new campaign but Xhaka feels he still has a role to play in leading the youngest squad in the top flight.
“I don’t feel like a grandfather but if I see the guys like 18, 17 they come up (into the first-team) and I feel sometimes ‘f**k me … I’m 29′,” he said.
“No, that’s a joke. I feel very good. After what happened with me two and a half, three years ago I tried to come back as strong as possible with the new guys as well. I give them respect.
“They give me respect as well. I try to treat everyone the same, it doesn’t matter the age.
“Of course you don’t need it (the captaincy). Everyone can see the leaders in this team. Of course you need a captain for the team when we need him. But I don’t believe a lot in the armband.
“I have a lot of good relationships with the guys. It doesn’t matter what nationality they are. If they need me, they know I am always here trying to help with the experiences I already had. And until now I think we’re doing a good job.”
Xhaka’s influence on the Arsenal squad was surmised by Aaron Ramsdale, who has been impressed by what he has seen since moving to the Emirates Stadium last summer.
“He’s integral to our group, playing or not playing,” the England goalkeeper said.
“When he was injured at the start of last season, you could feel his presence in the changing room. You can feel his presence when he’s playing. I think the captaincy is blown out of proportion.
“That comes from what’s…
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