Per Mertesacker 'poised for Arsenal captaincy'

Per Mertesacker will reportedly be handed the Arsenal captaincy ahead of the new campaign.

The 31-year-old centre-back, who has been with the Gunners since 2011, will take the armband from the now-retired Mikel Arteta, according to The Sun.

Other contenders for the role included Mertesacker's defence partner Laurent Koscielny, new signing Granit Xhaka and veteran goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Mertesacker has made 149 league appearances for the North London side in his five seasons with the club, finding the net five times.