Mikel Arteta has backed Kieran Tierney to become a future Arsenal captain following his goalscoring performance against West Brom.
The Scotland international became the first Scotsman to score for the Gunners in the top-flight since Charlie Nicholas.
Speaking after the win over the Baggies, the Spaniard heaped praise on the £25m signing from Celtic.
Arteta said: “I think he can be Arsenal captain as he has the respect and admiration of every member of the staff and every player. It is just the way he is. He does it in a natural way. He is a really shy boy as well but he represents all of us in the club; all of the values that we want to instil and are in the DNA in this club.” (via Goal)
Following his debut for the club, I can’t say I have seen a more committed player than the Scotsman. He gives his heart and soul for the club and leads by example through both playing and talking.
When you are being told to calm down because you are being ‘too committed’ in training, it shows that you’re are committed to the cause. Having a player who can perform consistently on the pitch and lead by example is far more crucial than a leader who is vocal.
Granit Xhaka is seen as a more vocal presence on the pitch and in the dressing room as reported by The Athletic. However, he is nowhere near consistent enough on the pitch to be the club captain. Imagine, getting ordered around by a player, who himself doesn’t perform on a consistent basis.
His performances and vocal attitude makes him the perfect player to lead a club which is looking to reclaim top spot in England. Arsenal have never had too much luck with captains in the past with some failing to lead on and off the pitch. However, in the 23-year-old left-back they have found a supreme leader.
