There is a fine tradition at Arsenal that Arsene Wenger has always tried to respect.
Yes, it's the grand old Gunners way of selling the captain.
Five of them left in just nine years. First Patrick Vieira went to Juventus in 2005. Two years later Thierry Henry left for Barcelona.
Then came an amazing sequence of three leaving in just four years. Cesc Fabregas joined Barca in 2011, then Robin van Persie was sold to Manchester United in 2012 and lastly Thomas Vermaelen also went to the Nou Camp in 2014.
At the end of last season club captain Mikel Arteta retired from playing and left the club to join Pep Guardiola's coaching staff at Manchester City, leaving the armband free again.
But today the club confirmed who would be the new skipper. Step forward Per Mertesacker.
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/764410733807407104
But it's fair to say not all Arsenal fans are impressed with the choice:
https://twitter.com/leeOliver96/status/764410825956290560
https://twitter.com/442Lou/status/764410703109300224
https://twitter.com/InchoPancho/status/764410155970605058
https://twitter.com/Justin_hurst16/status/764410858621501440
Some fans thought this was all a classic Wenger prank:
https://twitter.com/jaynzegwu/status/764410902200348672
https://twitter.com/ShannonTrouble7/status/764411099164868608
This fan sums it up with a simple question:
https://twitter.com/jessiehosking/status/764411061894279168
These three couldn't even express themselves in words:
https://twitter.com/WeapzAFC/status/764411558332141568
https://twitter.com/AsherNauman/status/764411602200387584
https://twitter.com/big_man_joshy/status/764410988401655808
Bit emoji heavy this one, but we *think* these is B O T O 49 showing their displeasure:
https://twitter.com/boto88607217/status/764411043137351680
Read more from SportsJOE:
