Arsenal manager Unai Emery has confirmed that striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has replaced Granit Xhaka as club captain.
Xhaka has been stripped of the position after tensions between him and fans boiled over during the Premier League match against Crystal Palace.
The Switzerland international missed the weekend's game against Wolves after swearing and gesturing at fans following boos and jeers when he was walking off the field of play after being substituted.
Xhaka also took off his shirt before heading down the tunnel at the Emirates Stadium. The midfielder released a statement later in the week giving an explanation for his actions.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of the Europa League vs Vitoria, the Arsenal boss confirmed that Xhaka will not continue as club captain, while also confirming that Aubameyang will be taking over the role.
Asked if Xhaka will ever play for Arsenal again, the Gunners' boss didn't give a clear answer.
"The future is Arsenal’s future. We have a very important match on Saturday," he said.
“We need to take some decisions... My focus is for tomorrow.
“He is our player, we want to respect him.”
Xhaka was instilled as the club captain at the start of the season after a vote by the players, the midfielder has played 144 times for Arsenal, scoring 11 times.
