Hector Bellerin insists he would not be fazed by the prospect of becoming Arsenal captain on a permanent basis – should he be handed the armband.
As things stand, star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang currently has that responsibility at the Emirates Stadium, but his future at the club remains in some doubt.
With just over a year left to run on his deal, the Gabon skipper has been linked with a move to the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United.
Should he leave north London this summer, the 30-year-old would command a fee.
However, there is still the possibility that he could leave Arsenal on a free transfer in 2021 – despite head coach Mikel Arteta wanting to keep hold of the player.
As for Bellerin, he has captained the team several times this season and the Spaniard is relishing that responsibility.
He told the club website: “I had been speaking to the coach for a few months and he was telling me that I could be one of the people that could represent the team.
“I was really happy with it, because I’m someone who’s been here for a long time and I know how the club runs.
“People may not see me as this massive guy who shouts on the pitch all the time or what people may have as a captain in their heads, but there are so many different ways of leading a team.
“Everyone in the team respects each other and we have so many leaders who don’t need to wear the armband to have an impact on how others think.”
Bellerin, who has made over 150 appearances for Arsenal in the Premier League since 2012, added: “After going through so many different captains and characters from my time here, so far, you always get the best things from all of them.
“The time I’ve been here has been really useful for that and whether I was captain or not, I’ve always been someone who’s liked to help and talk from the team’s perspective.
“I'm not afraid of those things so for me, it’s something I’m very proud of.
“I’m very honoured to be part of this group and it’s something this team needs. I’m very happy that I was approached and then for the votes I received in the dressing room.
“That shows my team-mates trust me to do that job, and I’m happy to do it when I have to.”
