Per Mertesacker announced as new Arsenal captain

The German defender will be the club captain for the coming campaign despite having been ruled out for four months with a knee injury. 

“Per is a very respected figure in the dressing room, is loved as well and is also a very demanding figure. I think it is absolutely natural to be [him],” Wenger told Arsenal Player.

“[In his absence] that’s where it will be taken by the assistants. One of them will be Koscielny, also Cazorla - the experienced players - Cech maybe."

Santi Cazorla is expected to lead the Gunners out against Liverpool on Sunday as vice-captain Laurent Koscielny is not considered match fit for the Premier League opener.

Mertesacker, 31, is one of the most experienced players at Emirates Stadium and has been handed the armband after Mikel Arteta retired from football to take up a coaching role alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Despite being out of contract at the end of the season, Mertesacker is a trusted member of the squad and is the 'chief fine collector' at Arsenal's London Colney training ground for players who commit misdemeanours including being late to training.

Unlikely to feature in the Arsenal side until the end of the year, Mertesacker will soon be joined by compatriot Shkodran Mustafi who is close to joining the Gunners after agreeing personal terms.