Arsene Wenger may consider making Petr Cech his Arsenal captain next season

German defender Mertesacker is the current vice-captain to Mikel Arteta, and with the Spaniard out of Wenger’s first-team plans at present and due to leave the club when his contract expires in the summer, Mertesacker has taken over the captaincy responsibility this season.

Cech has been a key performer at the Emirates Stadium since moving from Stamford Bridge during the summer, and his consistency between the sticks has been pivotal in establishing Arsenal as credible title contenders.

In a question-and-answer session on the Daily Mail, Keown said: ‘To be honest I don’t enjoy seeing stories like that come out of the club, it’s obviously leaking from somewhere. But Standard Sport understands Ospina feels he is at a place in his career where he should be playing regularly and that his performances for the club last season prove he is capable of performing at the highest level.

“I personally think he is world-class”.

“I wouldn’t have a problem with him being captain”.

“He’s been very good not just on the pitch, but off it as well”. He has to be a solid individual and a first-choice, his position in the team can’t be in question.

“Cech’s communication skills are thought to be a key motivation for the possible decision”. He has raised the bar in this Arsenal side because of his ability and his experience as a victor – it rubs off on your team-mates when they see how winners prepare for games.

However, given Wenger’s claim that Cech could play on for several years, Szczesny may have a decision to make over how long he will wait.