Arsenal stars Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney have given a ringing endorsement for Granit Xhaka following his appointment as Gunners captain.
The 27-year-old has had plenty of critics during his time at the Emirates Stadium, but the players voted for the midfielder to lead their captaincy group recently.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is second in command, followed by Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil following the squad's blind vote.
However, Xhaka has not had the greatest start to the season. He was jeered by sections of the crowd when substituted in the 3-2 win over Aston Villa at home, but Unai Emery holds the midfielder in high regard - and it is matched by his teammates.
Bellerin and Tierney were interviewed on the club's official YouTube channel, and among a number of questions asked was: 'How good a leader is Granit Xhaka, and what is he like behind the scenes?'
"I think he's a great captain for the club," Bellerin stated.
"He knows the club as good as anyone, he knows what it means to play for the club, and also he's a player that plays almost every game.
"Even when he's got little injuries, he's always ready to play so I think that's a good quality for a captain to have."
Tierney, meanwhile, revealed that Xhaka has had a positive influence on him since the former Celtic left-back's £25million summer move.
"Since I came in, he's been up there with [Bellerin] as well for helping me," Tierney said.
"So to see that and to see what he gives on the training pitch, every day is 100 per cent and that's what a leader should be. He is everything a leader is."
