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Xhaka named permanent Arsenal captain

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Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is taking over as the club's new captain.

Xhaka is replacing Laurent Koscielny, who left the Gunners in the summer following a bitter contract dispute. He has already worn the armband on six occasions this season.

The Swiss international was one of five rotating captains manager Unai Emery appointed last season, along with Koscielny, Petr Cech, Aaron Ramsey, and Mesut Ozil. Only Xhaka and Ozil remain.

Xhaka, however, won a vote by the players to determine Arsenal's permanent captain.

"First he's mature, he has experience," Emery said on Friday. "We are living under pressure, under criticism, as a coach, as a player, as a club.

"But really the most important thing is to stand up each moment, go ahead with his qualities, with his behaviour, with his commitment.

"In the dressing room the players voted him as the first (in the leadership group). I know, I spoke with him, we want to change that opinion outside. That respect he has inside is very, very important.

"Sometimes he makes mistakes. But the most important thing is to analyze, to learn, and correct those mistakes."

Ozil was in the running for the honor, having led the team to a 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the League Cup. But the 30-year-old has struggled for consistent playing time, making just one Premier League start this season.

Xhaka has played the full 90 minutes in five of Arsenal's eight matches so far.

The 27-year-old joined the club from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016. He has compiled 40 yellow cards in a little more than three seasons while being sent off twice.

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