Unai Emery's five captain farce after Koscienly goes on strike

Unai Emery's decision to name five captains at the start of last season have come back to haunt him with his so-called leaders either departed or on their way out. 

Laurent Koscielny, Petr Cech, Aaron Ramsey, Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil were named in Emery's leadership group but that has disbanded after less than one year. 

Koscielny decided to go on strike by refusing to travel with his team-mates to America on Thursday as the Frenchman wants to join Bordeaux this summer. 

Arsenal's club captain has disrespected his manager, colleagues and the fans by turning his back on his employers, who pay him £90,000-a-week by the way. 

Cech has re-joined rivals Chelsea in a non-playing capacity after hanging up his boots, Ramsey has departed to Juventus and there appears to be no way back for Koscielny. 

Emery's only other two leaders — Xhaka and Ozil — are not exactly fan favourites having failed to justify their salaries in recent seasons.

Here, Sportsmaillooks at what happened to Emery's five-man leadership group. 

Cech started last season as Emery's first-choice goalkeeper but lost his starting spot at the end of September after sustaining a hamstring injury. 

The 37-year-old did not play another Premier League game with new boy Bernd Leno taking his place in-between the sticks. 

Cech was used solely in cup competitions – leaving one of Emery's captains confined to the subs' bench. 

His last ever competitive appearance came in the Europa League final where he conceded four goals to London rivals Chelsea. 

He is now back at his former club as technical director. 

Ramsey has been one of Arsenal's most consistent performers over the last few seasons but the Gunners have lost the Welshman on a free transfer to Juventus. 

The Welsh midfielder had a successful 11 years in north London but wanted to move on to pastures new. 

One of Emery's hardest tasks this summer will be how his side replace Ramsey – especially as the Spaniard only has £40million to spend. 

Ramsey will reportedly earn £400,000-a-week in Turin as the Italian giants are landing him for nothing. 

Arsenal's permanent captain will be made to train with kids over the next few weeks after he refused to fly to the States. 

Koscielny was expected to see out the remaining year of his contract but is desperate to return to France with Bordeaux, Lyon and Rennes all keen on his services. 

The 33-year-old was seen as a reliable member of Emery's squad before he threw his toys out the pram on Thursday. 

There will be no way back for the centre back with the club either likely to let him rot in the reserves or cash in. 

Either way it will be a disappointing end to his career at Arsenal.

Ozil started off as a fan favourite at the Emirates but has quickly lost the trust of the Arsenal faithful as he goes missing in big games.  

The German playmaker is not justifying his staggering £300,000-a-week salary with Ozil scoring just five Premier League goals last season. 

His form away from home is particularly questionable with Emery choosing to drop his highest paid player on the road on several occasions. 

The Gunners will struggle to get Ozil off the wage bill as his suitors will not want to match his current salary. 

Xhaka is another one of Emery's captains who have been flirting with a move away from the club despite his ranking in the squad. 

The midfielder hinted towards the end of last season that he wanted to leave Arsenal this summer. 

'I'm very ambitious, I want to take the next step,' he said. 'Arsenal does not have to be the last stop.'

Xhaka signed a long-term deal in June 2018 but appears to be regretting that decision having stated his desire to move on.  

Source: Daily Mail

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