Arsene Wenger did not know who ended Man City game as Arsenal captain

By PA Sport

Image: Arsene Wenger is facing mounting pressure from Arsenal fans

Under-fire Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has conceded he did not know who captained his side for the second half of their draw with Manchester City.

Wenger made the admission when asked who took the armband from Laurent Koscielny when the defender was forced off at half-time with an Achilles problem.

With club captain Per Mertesacker not on the pitch and with other vice-captains Petr Cech and Santi Cazorla out injured, it was unclear who, if anyone, had taken the responsibility from Koscielny.

Under Premier League Rule M.11, a captain must wear an armband at all times.

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An Arsenal spokesperson told Sky Sports News HQ it is unclear whether there was a captain in the second half but Theo Walcott was the senior player on the pitch.

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Sky sources understand if there has been a breach, the Premier League will remind Wenger's side of the requirements and take no further action.

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After ruling both Cech and Koscielny out of Wednesday's home game against West Ham, Wenger said he was unsure who would captain the team - before it transpired he did not know who had finished Sunday's match as skipper.

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"I don't remember," he said. "It is a good question. Nobody asked me who is captain. I will have 24 hours to think about that."

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Arsenal therefore appear to have breached regulations, as under Premier League Rule M.11, a captain must wear an armband at all times.

Wenger's future also remains unclear, with many Gunners fans calling for him to leave the club rather than sign a new deal. His current contract expires at the end of the season.

Some have been making their feelings clear by protesting outside Arsenal's London Colney training base this week.

But Wenger said: "It is three guys. Honestly. Why should I waste energy on that? It is good that they can waste their day like that."

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