Vermaelen named captain

Thomas Vermaelen has been named the new captain of Arsenal in the wake of the impending departure of Robin van Persie.

Arteta will be vice-skipper in wake of impending Van Persie sale

Thomas Vermaelen has been named the new captain of Arsenal in the wake of the impending departure of Robin van Persie. Emirates Stadium manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed the centre-back will skipper the club and midfielder Mikel Arteta will serve as his deputy. Vermaelen succeeds Van Persie as Arsenal's captain as the Dutchman is later on Friday morning expected to complete a £24million move to Manchester United. There had been speculation Wenger could have turned to injury-plagued England international Jack Wilshere but he has instead named Vermaelen. The Belgium international has himself struggled with a variety of injuries since arriving at Arsenal in a £10m move from Ajax in the summer of 2009. But Wenger has faith in the centre-back, as he said at a press conference ahead of Saturday's Premier League season opener: "It is Vermaelen and Arteta. "Vermaelen was vice-captain, so it is a quick decision. I think we have many potential captains in the squad but at the moment it will be like that."