"?Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to name French central defender Laurent Koscielny as the club's new captain for the 2016/17 season, according to the "?Metro.
The experienced centre back is likely to take the armband at the Emirates after former captain Mikel Arteta was released on a free transfer following the final game of last season. The Spaniard is set to retire and move into coaching, with Wenger now ready to usher in a new era at the club by naming the 30-year-old as his successor.
Current vice-captain Per Mertesacker and goalkeeper Petr Cech are also in the running to be named the new skipper, though Koscielny - who has spent six seasons in north London - is most likely to take up the role according to the report. He has made over 240 appearances for Arsenal since joining from Lorient in 2010.
With doubt reigning over whether Mertesacker will even remain a first choice player next season, Koscielny's chances of overtaking the German in the pecking order appear to make sense. Strong talk has however suggested that Cech is the other main contender to be named captain after a strong first season at Arsenal last term.
What did @6_LKOSCIELNY do more than anyone else in 2015/16? https://t.co/ADD8Urw65R pic.twitter.com/U1Ayd8yd4C
If Koscielny's appointment is confirmed, he would become the fourth Frenchman to skipper the Gunners, following in the footsteps of former players Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and William Gallas.
Koscielny is currently on international duty with the French squad ahead of Euro 2016, as Les Bleus prepare to kick off the tournament in the middle of June. They face Romania in the opening game on June 10.
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