Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka has been criticised for his lack of leadership qualities and questioned whether he has what it takes to be Arsenal captain.
Emmanuel Petit, fondly remembered for his role in the Arsenal double-winning side of 1998, has launched a scathing attack on Xhaka for his performance in the 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Monday night.
Unai Emery allowed his players to choose their captain with Xhaka winning the players vote, but Petit cannot see any leadership qualities in the Swiss international.
Petit told Paddy Power: "Can you imagine Patrick Vieira on the pitch on Monday night? He would have been shouting at his team-mates, asking them: 'What the f*ck are you doing?
"I don't see that with Xhaka. I do with Guendouzi - he's one of the few who shows he wants to win every game. He's got a lion's heart.
"Guendouzi is relied upon a lot by [Unai] Emery, and that's because he's showing anger on the pitch. He hates to lose games, you can see that he's ready to fight for every single ball. He plays to his strengths and he does that well.
"That's more than you can say for some of the other midfielders. Can anyone tell me what is Xhaka's best quality? I don't know why he has been made captain. The leadership is absent.
"To be fair to Emery, it's a good thing that he's picking a lot of young players, including players grown at the club. Gabriel Martinelli has caught my eye, as has Joe Willock. And, of course, Kieran Tierney - I can't wait to actually see him playing, it's time - Arsenal need something else in defence.
"I'm happy to see these players getting a chance. Some of them have quality, though they need to improve. For that, they need help from older players, who don't seem to be showing the way to these youngsters.
"These experienced heads must show the responsibility and personality needed to succeed as an example for their younger team-mates."
