Unai Emery decides first-choice goalkeeper for new season

Koscielny usually wore the armband last season as well, as club captain Per Mertesacker rarely played.

Ahead of Emery's Premier League bow at home to Manchester City on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, the Spaniard has also named four vice-captains; Ozil, Petr Cech, Aaron Ramsey, and Granit Xhaka - one of whom will take the armband in Koscielny's absence.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has hailed Pep Guardiola's achievements in the game as he prepares for a baptism of fire against Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Sport, Wright said: "They start against a City team who know exactly what they are doing, but this might be a good time to play them because some of their players are late back from the World Cup".

"The other players are OK and we are working on the possibility to work with Ainsley, who has experience in this [left-back] position". He spoke of the need for Arsenal to show fresh energy and a keen understanding of his tactics, and for supporters to rally around the new approach. Arsenal's decision to cash-in on a player with one year left on his current deal comes as no surprise as Emery looks set to trim his squad even further.

"The past is very important in this club, with the people that were working here".

"I am 46, he is 47 and he started his career as a player, bigger than me", he said at his pre-match presser.

And the former PSG boss has already rung the changes as he attempts to get the club back on track after last season's disappointing sixth-placed finish. "We are to think only to win the match". "And then when we have the space, to be aggressive going forward". For now, Southampton are a real option, primarily if he seeks regular first-team football, or Bournemouth, but Everton, another prospective suitor, might not want him now. I want those two moments to feel the same for all players. He gave us his commitment to this project.