PATRICK VIEIRA says the captain of a Premier League side must be a “positive leader” at all times.
The Frenchman is regarded as one of the league’s greatest ever skippers and was a World Cup winner with his country in 1998.
His greatest club triumph was guiding Arsenal to Invincible status during the unbeaten 2003-04 season.
The Gunners yesterday stripped Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the club captaincy after his “latest disciplinary breach”.
Vieira, now the Crystal Palace chief, spent nine years with Arsenal and his words on the subject carry great weight.
The 45-year-old said: “I think as a manager you always want your captain to be one of the leaders, I’d say.
“A positive leader — on and off the field. You want the captain to set the example.
“Obviously, the captain always has to have a special relationship with the manager.
“But to have that, you need to be a positive leader.”
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The Aubameyang dropped by manager Mikel Arteta for Saturday’s 3-0 win over Southampton after arriving back late from an authorised trip to France.
Arsenal confirmed: “Following his latest disciplinary breach last week, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will no longer be our club captain, and will not be considered for selection for Wednesday’s match against West Ham United.
“We expect all our players, particularly our captain, to work to the rules and standards we have all set and agreed.
“We are fully focused on tomorrow’s match.”
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