CESC FABREGAS
Despite being just 21, the Catalan midfielder is among Arsenal's most experienced players. There remain some minor questions about his temperament but Fabregas has the brain, the influence and the ideal position on the pitch to be Weng
er's on-field general.
MANUEL ALMUNIA
Not so long ago Almunia was Arsenal's calamitous reserve goalkeeper, failing miserably to take his chance to depose Jens Lehmann. Now he is firmly established and a hugely-respected member of the Emirates Stadium dressing room.
GAEL CLICHY
Like Almunia, Clichy was among the contenders to take the armband against Manchester City with Fabregas suspended. The Frenchman would be an outsider for the role permanently but at 23 years old, is by no means a youngster any more.
KOLO TOURE
Ordinarily Toure would be the favourite for the role but the Ivorian centre-half has found himself on the bench a lot recently, and Wenger will realise the importance of appointing a captain whom he is comfortable picking automatically every week.
OTHER OPTIONS
Mathieu Flamini would have been a strong candidate but the Gunners lost him on a Bosman deal to AC Milan in the summer. Wenger's only other decent option is to bring in an experienced player in January to bolster his young squad and add much-needed leadership qualities.
