Who should be our next captain? (2012 edition)

I wouldn't give it to verm permanently. He isn't certain to start, just likely

Kos or Verm for me. Bout time we gave it to a defender anyway

With that said... I also want Kos or Vermaelen. At the end of the day, we don't have many players left that display genuine leadership qualities on the pitch. In that sense, I'd side towards Vermaelen just because he seems more vocal and passionate on the pitch than Kos who does his work brilliantly, but silently.

Gallas was a glitch

The main issue with Vermaelen is hes not even guarenteed to start. Same could be said for Arteta if another holding mid is brought in, and Sagna & Wilshere due to fitness.

Vermaelen is the easy pick, wont ruffle any feathers, but it would be strange having a captain who isnt always a 1st option.

TV not a first choice pick? People having a laugh?

The main issue with Vermaelen is hes not even guarenteed to start. Same could be said for Arteta if another holding mid is brought in, and Sagna & Wilshere due to fitness.

Well if you look at it that way, then nobody is certain to start are they?

People are indeed nuts not to assume TV5 is one of the first names on AW's team sheet.

He spent a year out injured, came back and was forced to partner different players at the back, as well as spending much of last season out of position.

Granted, he did make a few unacceptable errors last season, but I truly believe we'll see a world class centre back in him this season and beyond.

never understood the decision to give the captaincy to Gallas the guy was truly unstable one of the many mystery's of wengers managerial career with us ..

Aye, it's gone through a very rough patch. All the more reason to get it right this time - that's why I suggested Jack.

Definitely need to get it right, were not a broken club we just have policy issues, the armband bribe is another.

Do think Jacks too young though, surely it has to be a senior player, Jack has got captain written all over him but in 4 years time imo.

My only concern with handing it to Vermalean is that this team needs discipline, which Vermalean all too often sheds to foray forward.

If a captain is to lead, then what does Vermalean's offensive freedoms suggest to other players?

Diaby.

If he's anything like our last captains he will leave at the end of the season and we will finally be rid of him.

Diaby.

If he's anything like our last captains he will leave at the end of the season and we will finally be rid of him.

This! We can't really do any worse than him lol

Wilshere!

Very few of us see sense in that (and interestingly, it is more acceptable among the older heads - comparisons with TA and such). Is your choice influenced by such a model (SG), or you just feel this is right (and if so - age/experience worries)?

The only way I could see Wilshere getting the armband is if he's fit throughout pre-season and is fully fit and performing well for the first game of the season, otherwise it'll go to Vermaelen I reckon, unless there's some unbelievable turn around in the RvP situation.

Wilshere definitely seems like captain material for the future, but to give him the captaincy for the coming season - when he might not even be fit to play until October - would be ludicrous. Wait until he has had a few more seasons of consistent first team football, make him work for it.

Vermaelen seems the obvious choice, he's definitely first choice and is as passionate and commited to the cause as anyone in the squad.

Rorz (and others) - I see a lot of this "he's definitely first team choice", some even say he's one of the first names on the team sheet. It's interesting - he certainly was held by almost all of us as one of the more important players when he was out - that is, by standards he set in his first year. But after this year?
Sure, it's "not fair" - he did so much of that out of position stuff, and he most probably was encouraged to bomb forward (sometimes he actually saved us: how would the end of the season look like if not for that goal vs Newcastle?). But at the end of the day, with Mert and Kos around, something further needs to be said for him if he's "definitely in the first team".

I'm not saying this cause I don't like him - I do. Very much, actually. But maybe because it seems to me that the main argument for him to be the captain is (leave Jack out for a minute) that he's the only natural captain around. I actually thought he'll be captain before VP got it (that Newcastle moment is a testimony to his spirit). And I think this argument is strong enough in favor of TV even if he's not a 100% starter (say, if he's on par with Mert, and there's something of a rotation at CB).
I know people nay think this is strange, but, as far as I can see, this is the most likely scenario at this time, too (so we might as well digest/comment on that).

Okay just give it to Chesney.

He looks to have a strong character and more and more goalkeepers are becoming captains

Casillas for Spain and Madrid
Buffon for Juve
Lloris for France
Cech is Chelsea's third choice captain

Yeah, were it not for his very important contribution of goals last season I'd say most of us would agree that Vermaelen had a below par season (many would say that he did anyway) and shouldn't be considered a starter. He does have a lot of competition at CB but I firmly believe he should get a place in the team on his defensive merit (not just through the possibilty that you pointed out Yuvken, that he appears the most "natural" captain in the team and may be given a place because of this) For whatever reason last season he was not as defensively sound as we remembered him, might have been recovering from a year out, may have been given a greater liscense to go forward, may have been under pressure from players on the bench for his place. However I have a lot of faith that with another pre-season under his belt and a growing partnership with Kos we'll see the best out of Vermaelen again, and if he's going to be in the team I think he should be the captain.

Okay just give it to Chesney.

He looks to have a strong character and more and more goalkeepers are becoming captains

Casillas for Spain and Madrid
Buffon for Juve
Lloris for France
Cech is Chelsea's third choice captain

Sczcesny is too bonkers to be captain. Those above are all very experienced, calm and collected on the pitch and aren't quite as rash as our Chez. Mind you he is one of the more vocal players on our team.

Arteta would be best, he's our most important player after RvP.

Somehow I think that giving captaincy to Song would add quite some seriousness/resoluteness to him. Of course, even with that it might not be enough for him to be a good captain.

TV or Arteta for me.

Wenger may favor Rosicky as well.

TBH Arteta for me is the perfect choice bar his time with the club.

Anchors midfield and keeps the play ticking over, is deep enough to help defence and push the team forward, experienced.

Also he's pretty much established himself as a first pick.

Actually I know some have said "no" but even Song, I'd love to see AFC with a Vieira style strong man captain bossing midfield.

If I see RVP with the armband even in pre season I'll go nuts!

Actually I know some have said "no" but even Song, I'd love to see AFC with a Vieira style strong man captain bossing midfield.

Well we can discard Song then.

Songs a good player, one of our best in case you had not noticed?

^Agreed. Song is a warrior for the badge, I wouldn't mind if he had it.

Vermaelen. Fairly easy pick. He's the best fit personality and character wise, is all but guarenteed to start, and is a quality performer (seriously I think his late season struggles are being blown way out of proportion).

Vice is harder; based on previous seasons Song, Arteta, and Rosicky are leading the chase. Sagna and Koscielny both have a shot, but I'm not sure either is a good fit.

tbh I find the fact that there seem to be so little candidates for this is a testament to the state of the squad.

Vermaelen is a pretty obvious choice to be captain. He has shown nothing but the utmost loyalty to the club, re-signed is contract so should be here for a while, and displays the fighting spirit that we need to lead the team going forward.

Also, he is a pretty dead certain starter. I'm not sure who everyone thinks would start over him. Mertesacker had a good season, but I wouldn't say it was better than Vermaelen's. I can see us rotating our CBs just to make sure that everyone is fresh, so Vermaelen won't start every game, but everyone needs to get a rest during a season. When Vermaelen is rested we'll give the armband to someone else, but I doubt his form will ever drop to a level where he isn't considered a starter.

As for vice-captain I'd give it to Song. He has been here forever and owes everything to this club. I think being vice-captain will improve his game. Arteta and Sagna are other options to wear the armband if Vermaelen and Song aren't on the pitch.

The main issue with Vermaelen is hes not even guarenteed to start. Same could be said for Arteta if another holding mid is brought in, and Sagna & Wilshere due to fitness.

Well if you look at it that way, then nobody is certain to start are they?

Scz is a definite starter isn't he....but please no