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Unai Emery names Laurent Koscielny as Arsenal captain

Laurent Koscielny is named Arsenal's skipper for the 2018-19 season, while Mesut Ozil is one of four players to take on vice-captaincy duties.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has named injured defender Laurent Koscielny as his main captain for this season, but says that other players will also take on the responsibility.

The France international skippered the Gunners last term in the prolonged absence of Per Mertesacker, who has since retired from playing and taking up a coaching position.

Ahead of Sunday's Premier League opener at home to champions Manchester City, Emery has named his skipper and four vice-captains, with Mesut Ozil among those being given more of a leadership role in the side.

"The captain of this group is Laurent Koscielny, who is injured at the moment," he told the club's official website. "After Laurent, our other captains are Petr Cech, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka.

"I want leaders in the team, every player at every time to have the capacity to show leadership, but these are the five players who have a possibility to be the captain."

Koscielny is expected to return from a long-term Achilles injury in November.

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