One of the many consequences of Laurent Koscielny’s refusal to attend Arsenal’s pre-season tour has been a greater focus on leadership and what it means to be a captain. Unai Emery famously likes to have five captains in his squad, and he is currently in the process of identifying potential candidates for the upcoming season.

Petr Cech and Aaron Ramsey, two of last year’s leadership group, have both left, and Koscielny looks determined to join them. Nacho Monreal has already been promoted into the captaincy circle, which leaves two spaces vacant.

Emery says he wants at least one of his five captains to be English. “An English player who grew up in our academy can understand the English spirit and Arsenal values,” as he puts it.

So who are the leading candidates? Two obvious options are defenders Rob Holding and Calum Chambers, although neither came through the Arsenal academy. Ainsley Maitland-Niles is an increasingly important part of the side, too. Of the other Englishmen, Carl Jenkinson is unlikely to feature much in the first team and the likes of Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah are surely too young to be considered.

Holding and Chambers will be the early favourites, then, with Holding surely having the edge due to his performances last season. Emery likes them both as players, and was particularly impressed with Holding before long-term injury ended the centre-back’s campaign in December. The 23-year-old is back in training now, though, and is due to be fit in time for the first game of the new season.