Robin van Persie new Arsenal captain; Thomas Vermaelen vice-captain

Robin van Persie has been confirmed as Arsenal's new captain.

The Dutch international has been at the Club since May 2004 and succeeds Cesc Fabregas, who left for Barcelona this week.

"Robin van Persie will be captain this season," Arsène Wenger told the Official Matchday Programme.

"He is a leader through the way he plays, through his attitude and through his desire to win.

"He’s been at the Club a long time and he’s a technical leader as well. Thomas Vermaelen will assist him, it’s the decision I have made and I’m confident the group will respond to it."

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/van-persie-appointed-as-arsenal-captain

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Thought this deserved it's own thread.

It was expected that van Persie would be the captain after Fabregas left. He's been vice-captain for a few years now and is one the most experienced member of this Arsenal team. There really weren't that many candidates for the job.

My only concern is whether van Persie can stay fit for the whole season. We don't need our captain to be missing large periods of the season, after all.

Other than that, I'm actually quite happy Wenger didn't take the easy way out and give the captaincy or vice-captaincy to someone like Rosicky or Arshavin. Even though those two captain their countries, they just don't strike me as leadership material.

Vermaelen will probably find himself leading the team quite often this season and the only reason he's not full-time captain is probably because he hasn't been here for that long. He's definitely the next in line, though.

Another good thing is that Wilshere didn't get the armband. It's something Wenger would do (see: Cesc Fabregas). Wilshere doesn't need that sort of pressure on him at this age.

So, happy with the appointment?

Well deserved

Yes... Van Persie is our leader.. Hope he could do what Cesc couldnt..

This might be one of those situations where picking the Vice-Captain is extremely important because nobody has faith in RVP staying fit for a whole season. Vermaelen is the perfect candidate. He hasn't been here long enough to be our straight out team captain; however, his leadership skills definitely warrant him the position of Vice Captain and I have faith in both of them to lead the team very well.

Finlay a true captain, well deserved.

The best 2 options we have ... Willy be a future candidate for sure

perfect choice.

The BeSt n sexiest CAPTAIN asn ever had...LOOOL...truly deserved.

Yes! I think most of us hit on with our predictions.

About time as I have saying for years that RVP needs to be Captain as he seems to be the only one who doesn't care about staying as buddies with the squad.

Locker room talks from him are the stuff of legend as its time he is rewarded for them.

A true leader who is vocal enough on the pitch to marshal his whole team with control on his temper enough to motivate and continue leading as he also leads by example.

Just 2 doubts here though:

1. His fitness
2. The amount of burden and pressure that will be on him considering Nasri and Fab have left as it will be a true test of his will.

Speaking of point number 1, Thomas Vermaelen is definitely more then a good enough vice-captain who can fill RVP's role in his absence as TV is the only backline member who can marshal and command the backline as his leadership and presence is important as well.

But.... Vermalen, IMO should always be kept as VP similar to the Gerrard-Carragher relationship while Jack Wilhsere, like RVP is another member who keeps his head down, puts his heart on his sleeve and works for his club without question, should be groomed as captain for the future similar to how de rossi has been groomed for Roma.