Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta says he hopes captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can play a role in preventing cliques within the Gunners dressing room.
Aubameyang was handed the armband by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery following Granit Xhaka's controversial spat with supporters during the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in October.
And ahead of the Gunners' FA Cup third-round tie against Leeds at the Emirates on Monday night, Arteta says the Gabon striker can be key part of the Arsenal squad coming together to foster a sense of togetherness.
"The leadership many times is related to how this team lives together," he said.
"The moment you start to see different groups, they have leaders in these groups, but they are not shared in the best common interests of the group and this is what I wanted to avoid.
"We have some leaders, some are more leaders on the pitch and some more outside the pitch. Some have influence to players that is very necessary. We want to bring all together.
"The more stability we can generate with our captain and the players we have in the squad, I think the more clarity we will have to transmit to the fans what we are trying to do.
"There are many factors, some we cannot control, but at the moment everything is OK and not the time for me to change things in place because I haven't seen real things to make the decisions.
"I have been at clubs that have four or five captains. It is more a leadership group than captains. At the end it is one guy wearing the armband and after the team picks the leaders.
"The moment they pick the leaders is when someone talks if they listen or they are looking at the roof. That is when you see."
Aubameyang is reportedly keen to quit the Emirates this month to fulfil his ambitions of playing Champions League, and has been linked with a host of clubs across Europe.
But speaking after Arsenal's 2-0 win over Manchester United on New Year's Day, Aubameyang reaffirmed his commitment to the club.
"The English press likes to talk a lot," he told French outlet RMC. "For now, I'm here. I'm 100% here."
Arteta also confirmed his striker's stance by telling reporters that he does not think the north London side will entertain any offers for their top scorer.
"I don’t even think about that possibility [of him leaving] with Auba. I want him here," Arteta said.
