Mikel Arteta to be named Arsenal captain

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will reportedly hand Mikel Arteta the club captaincy.

Thomas Vermaelen is the current skipper at the Emirates, but Barcelona are believed to have had a £15m bid for the Belgian accepted by the Gunners.

Current vice-captain Arteta wore the armband on numerous occasions for the club last season and according to the Daily Mail, Wenger will make him his captain on a permanent basis for the new campaign.

The report also claims that German international Per Mertesacker will be promoted to the role of vice-captain.

Arteta captained the Gunners to success in last season's FA Cup final.