Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been stripped of the Arsenal captaincy.
Mikel Arteta omitted the Gabon international from the matchday squad against Southampton due to a disciplinary breach.
The Athletic claims the striker was given permission to fly abroad for personal reasons but arrived back late and due to Covid-19 protocols, he missed training on Friday and was left out by Arteta for the 3-0 victory.
Aubameyang's actions have been heavily criticised with Arsenal confirming the decision to take the armband off him on Tuesday.
The striker remains out of the squad that will face West Ham on Wednesday night.
As Arteta looks to appoint a new captain - here are five realistic candidates to replace Aubameyang.
Join the debate! Who should replace Aubameyang as Arsenal captain? Comment here.
Ben White
Ben White only arrived in the summer, but it's clear the club rate him highly after spending £50million in the summer.
Arsenal's defence has dramatically improved this season and White's calming influence is a big reason for this.
He has started to form a solid partnership with Gabriel and it would not be a surprise to see Arteta turn to a defender after taking the armband off Aubameyang.
David Luiz's departure left a void of experience in the dressing room but White is reportedly one of three new leaders that have emerged this year.
Gabriel
Gabriel has come on leaps and bounds this term and is exactly the type of player who would be a fitting captain.
The Brazilian is typically the central mouthpiece in the Gunners side who organises the backline.
The defender, alongside White, has emerged as an authoritative figure inside the dressing room throughout the campaign.
Arteta has praised Gabriel's development in recent months and has to be a the top of his shortlist when he appoints his new skipper.
Aaron Ramsdale
Aaron Ramsdale is another individual impact who has made an immediate impact at the club.
The Englishman didn't take long to reclaim the no.1 spot over Bernd Leno and has not looked back with a string of impressive performances in goal for Arsenal.
It's claimed his bubbly personality is said to be rubbing off on those around him, but also leads by example on the pitch.
Ramsdale's passion is contagious and the fact that he is already regarded as a leader has to give Arteta some food for thought for Aubameyang's successor.
Alexandre Lacazette
Alexandre Lacazette has started ahead of Aubameyang in recent weeks and proved his worth to Arsenal as he netted a sublime opener against Southampton.
The Frenchman's future is up in the air with his contract expiring in the summer and is set to leave as a free agent at the end of the season.
But Aubameyang's situation could change things for the striker if the Gunners part ways with his teammate. All of a sudden, they might need to keep him around.
Crucially, Lacazette wore the armband in Aubameyang's absence against the Saints which could be the biggest hint of who Arteta would turn to next.
Granit Xhaka
It would be an unusual move to hand the captain's armband back to Granit Xhaka but strangers things have happened.
Unai Emery stripped the Swiss international of the captaincy after he was booed as he walked off the pitch during a game against Crystal Palace, allegedly swearing at Arsenal fans as he took off his shirt and stormed down the tunnel.
Aubameyang was announced as the new skipper but multiple Arsenal stars were reportedly not happy about the decision and believed Xhaka was ‘thrown under the bus’.
Xhaka looked destined to leave Arsenal in the wake of that ordeal but he has since revived his Gunners career and was handed a new contract in the summer.
The 29-year-old is arguably the most experienced player in the dressing room and is considered a key player by Arteta.
Xhaka cannot be discounted with the Spaniard on the lookout for a new captain.
