If Cesc Fabregas Does Depart Arsenal, Who Should Be Captain?

It's no secret that Arsenal captain and midfield maestro, Cesc Fabregas, longs for Spanish football. The Spanish midfielder has a great desire to return to his youth club Barcelona and win some trophies.

As Arsenal have failed to win a trophy for four seasons now, the Arsenal captain is getting fed up with runner up and semi finals and insists if Arsenal don't start winning trophies he will depart the Emirates. It is still unclear over Fabregas's future and whether he will still be wearing red and white in 2009-10.

So if the Arsenal captain was to leave the Emirates, who should receive the honour of the captain's armband?

1. Kolo Toure

That is if the Ivorian is not playing for Manchester City. Kolo Toure has been at Arsenal since 2002 and is one of the most reliable and experienced players in the Arsenal line up.

The Ivorian defender has never tasted the sweet sensation of captain but has enjoyed a few taste testers when injuries come in. Toure would no doubt be a suitable replacement.

2. Manuel Almunia

Despite being at the club since 2004, 2008-09 was only Almunia's second real season. The reliable and calm keeper has shown he can be an adequate captain by leading the youthful Arsenal two games during the previous campaign.

Almunia is one of the oldest players in the Arsenal team and would do a fine job as Arsenal's fearless leader.

3. Robin van Persie

The Dutch striker went his first season with out any real injury worries in 2008-09 and the effects were remarkable. Van Persie was no doubt Arsenal's best performer in 08/09, topping the Arsenal scoring and assists. His form lead him to wearing the captain's armband in the FA cup.

Van Persie has experience and age under his belt and has the ability to become the best striker in the world. If Fabregas does depart it would not hurt to trial van Persie with the armband.

4. William Gallas

The holder of the captain's armband in 2007-08 and a brief period in 2008-09 before it was stripped from the French defender for lack of form and comments against his own team mates.

But Gallas showed in the second half of last season, before being hit with injury, that he can be a world-class defender and that he can lead a team successfully.

5.Thomas Vermaelen

An unlikely candidate, but the Belgium center half who has just been signed by Arsenal from Ajax, has experience and can lead a team. Despite recently arriving to North London the defender has already expressed his eagerness to wear the armband that accompanies Cesc Fabregas.

6. Gael Clichy

Though 2008-09 was not his best performance, especially compared to the form he has shown in the season before that, none the less Gael Clichy has been at the club for a while now and has been known to be a leader on and off the field. The French left back is heavily involved in charity and Arsenal events.

I believe that Clichy would be an excellent candidate for the Arsenal captaincy, if Fabregas leaves.

7. Andrei Arshavin

The Russian may have only come to Arsenal five months ago but the performance he showed, show what the midfielder is capable. Arshavin can lead a team to glory if the players are there, and at Arsenal I believe they are.

So who do you think would be the best replacement as captain if Cesc Fabregas leaves Arsenal?