Unai Emery urged to make 27-year-old new Arsenal captain

Unai Emery should make Aaron Ramsey the new Arsenal captain if the Wales star remains at The Emirates, according to ex-Gunners star Paul Mariner.

The Wales international has less than 12 months to run on his current contract which will end at the end of the 2018-19 season.

Arsenal will be loathe to lose another player on the cheap after Alexis Sanchez moved to Manchester United last January.

The Gunners have appointed Unai Emery as Arsene Wenger’s successor following a sixth-placed finish last term.

Arsenal missed out on a Champions League spot for the second successive season to force the Gunners board to make a change

ESPN FC pundit Mariner believes the Gunners should make Ramsey their next captain if the versatile midfielder remains at the north London side.

Mariner told ESPN FC: “If he stays at the football club and I hope he does stay at the football club – Ramsey, hands down.

“For me, I think Ramsey is box-to-box, he scores goals, he does absolutely everything.

“I just think as far as trust matters. [Does it matter?] Of course it matters. Absolutely it does.

“I think Aaron Ramsey is absolutely ideal. But there’s a chance he’s not going to be at the football club.”

Arsenal signed experienced Switzerland international Stephan Lichtsteiner in a free transfer from Serie A giants Juventus.

The Gunners have also brought in Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno in a £20m deal.

The north London outfit have also brought on Greece international Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Borussia Dortmund earlier this month.

Lucas Torreira became the fourth addition at The Emirates last week before Lorient teenager Matteo Guendouzi finalised a move.