Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has confirmed that Robin van Persie has taken the club's armband following Cesc Fàbregas's sale to Barcelona.
The 28-year-old Dutch international will permanently assume the captain's armband from the club's home Premier League fixture with Liverpool on Saturday.
Wenger told Arsenal's Official Matchday Programme: "Robin van Persie will be captain this season.
"He is a leader through the way he plays, through his attitude and through his desire to win. He's been at the club a long time and he's a technical leader as well.
"Thomas Vermaelen will assist him, it's the decision I have made and I'm confident the group will respond to it."
Van Persie added: "As captain you are an ambassador for the club and I'm ready for that.
"I've been in the game now for more than 10 years, so I know how this world works.
"When I was 18 I didn't have a clue! Every day I was always surprised by something, when I went to training or when I had a game, every day was just one big surprise for me.
"How people reacted after the game - the fans, players, media - it was all a surprise to me, I was just thinking about playing football.
"But now I know how things work and I understand that certain actions have consequences. I know that quite well, I feel experienced, so I feel ready for this.
"I know that every single player represents their club anyway, everywhere you are, 24/7. I've been dealing with it for a few years now, so I know what my part is."
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| Dutch forward Robin van Persie is ready for the Arsenal captaincy
Photo: AFP/Getty Images |
The 28-year-old Dutch international will permanently assume the captain's armband from the club's home Premier League fixture with Liverpool on Saturday.
Wenger told Arsenal's Official Matchday Programme: "Robin van Persie will be captain this season.
"He is a leader through the way he plays, through his attitude and through his desire to win. He's been at the club a long time and he's a technical leader as well.
"Thomas Vermaelen will assist him, it's the decision I have made and I'm confident the group will respond to it."
Van Persie added: "As captain you are an ambassador for the club and I'm ready for that.
"I've been in the game now for more than 10 years, so I know how this world works.
"When I was 18 I didn't have a clue! Every day I was always surprised by something, when I went to training or when I had a game, every day was just one big surprise for me.
"How people reacted after the game - the fans, players, media - it was all a surprise to me, I was just thinking about playing football.
"But now I know how things work and I understand that certain actions have consequences. I know that quite well, I feel experienced, so I feel ready for this.
"I know that every single player represents their club anyway, everywhere you are, 24/7. I've been dealing with it for a few years now, so I know what my part is."
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