Could Bellerin be a long-term captain for Arsenal?

Hector Bellerin has talked up the possibility of becoming the Arsenal captain in the future, and I’m sure I’m not alone in wanting consistency with the armband.

Arsene Wenger has changed the captaincy five times since 2010, and our current choice has missed the current campaign thus far through injury.

Per Mertesacker was chosen to take on the role this term, following the exit of Mikel Arteta in the summer, who hardly wore the armband at all last year. I’m not a fan of all this chopping and changing, and would much prefer one man to lead the side on the pitch consistently.

Laurent Koscielny has been amazing since returning this summer, and has no doubt thrown his hat into the ring for the permanent position for next season, with Mertesacker’s current contract expiring in 2017, and his place in the squad looking minimal.

Granit Xhaka is another possible option, having captained his previous side Borussia Monchengladbach already, and is known to be a strong leader on the pitch, but I was quite surprised to hear Hector Bellerin discussing himself as a possibility.

The young Spanish right-back reiterated his love for our club, but went onto claim he can see himself wearing the Arsenal arm-band in the future, and sees himself as somewhat of a leader despite his age.

On whether he sees himself as a future skipper at the Emirates, the right-back said: ‘Of course.

‘That’s something that I would be really, really grateful of and it would be my pleasure to be the captain of Arsenal. I love the club.

‘I have been here for such a long time now and I think it’s important for the club to have young leaders as well – not just the big fishes who have been around for a long time or who have played a lot of games.

‘I think it’s out of your character and I don’t feel like the young kid anymore even though I’m only 21. I’ve played enough games.

‘I’m really happy that the boss [Arsene Wenger] and Ivan [Gazidis] think that of me.’

Can you see Bellerin taking the armband next year or in the future? Has Koscielny stamped himself down for the role from next year onwards?

Pat J