With Thomas Vermaelen on his way to Barcelona, who will captain Arsenal this season... Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker, Aaron Ramsey, Laurent Koscielny or even Jack Wilshere?

• Thomas Vermaelen is close to completing a move to Barcelona
•  Arsene Wenger will have to decide who will be the next Gunners captain
• Mikel Arteta was vice-captain last season but his future is uncertain
• Per Mertesacker returns to the Emirates Stadium as a World Cup champion
• Aaron Ramsey was the club's most influential player before injury last term
• Laurent Koscielny may not be a natural leader but is a certain starter
• Jack Wilshere is ingrained in the club but doubts remain over his lifestyle 

By Matt Morlidge Follow @@MattMorlidge

Published: 05:06 EST, 8 August 2014 | Updated: 08:48 EST, 8 August 2014

Thomas Vermaelen’s stint as Arsenal’s club captain is close to an end with the Belgian defender destined for a move to Barcelona.

Few fans will miss the 28-year-old as a leader as injury problems coupled with a lack of form have seen him ousted from the starting line-up, let alone from his role as skipper.

But every Premier League challenger needs a leader, and in that respect the Gunners have a sizeable hole to fill. Here, Sportsmail looks as the possible candidates to replace Vermaelen this season.

Scroll down for video... 

On his way? Arsenal captain is set to leave the Emirates for Spanish giants Barcelona

Wenger drops unsubtle hints that Thomas Vermaelen is on his way

MIKEL ARTETA

Would seem to be the logical choice after his vice-captain duties last season made him the go-to skipper in big games for Arsene Wenger, including the FA Cup final.

Doubts remain over the 32-year-old’s future at the club though, with his contract due to expire at the end of the 2014/15 season.

Supporters may doubt the Spaniard’s presence on the pitch too. Arteta is a man who keeps his cool in possession, but is hardly a grafter or a natural leader.

Helping hand: Last season's vice-captain Mikel Arteta gives new signing Callum Chambers advice in training

VIDEO Arteta expecting great season 

PER MERTESACKER

Searching for a presence? Well look no further. Standing at 6’7” the German World Cup winner demands respect.

Along with Arteta would be a sensible choice for Wenger, having stood in for Vermaelen and the Spaniard last season.

Commanding at the back, screaming instructions throughout the game, even idolising Tony Adams as a youngster; Mertesacker appears to be the best fit for the role in this squad.

BFG: Per Mertesacker returns to Arsenal as a World Cup winner and is not afraid to speak his mind

AARON RAMSEY

After a stellar breakthrough year last season Ramsey will be in Wenger’s thoughts when considering his options.

Having captained Wales in 2012, albeit at the wrong time for an out-of-form youngster, the 23-year-old has already been picked out as a future leader.

Can he fulfill that role at Arsenal? He’s a regular starter, popular in the dressing room and a perfect professional. Don’t rule him out...

Enter the dragon? Aaron Ramsey was Arsenal's most influential player before injury last season

Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey: Vermaelen leaving will be a blow

JACK WILSHERE

Having progressed through the youth ranks Wilshere possesses the ‘Arsenal D.N.A’. However, after his recent antics he doesn’t quite fall under the role model category.

The father-of-two has been pictured smoking and partying in Las Vegas, while he has work to do to break back into this talented first XI after injury problems since his early promise. Wenger is certainly a fan of the Stevenage-born midfielder though.

‘Of course he will be one of the leaders of this club - in fact he is already on the pitch,’ Wenger said back in 2013. ‘I think Jack will be captain of this club this day - yes, of course.’

Time will tell.

Worth a risk? Arsene Wenger is an admirer of Jack Wilshere (L) but there are doubts over his lifestyle

Jack Wilshere: It is totally unacceptable for me to smoke

LAURENT KOSCIELNY

Having been Arsenal’s most consistent player over the last two years, the French international automatically qualifies as a candidate.

Not a leader as such - instead doing his talking on the pitch - Koscielny has built up a formidable partnership with Mertesacker at the heart of defence.

French fancy? Defender Laurent Koscielny is a guaranteed starter but is not a born leader 

Honourable mentions

Wojciech Szczesny - A character, if nothing else. The selfie machine (along with Lukas Podolski) keeps spirits high in North London and has improved as a goalkeeper, but he must rank down the list.

Tomas Rosicky - Experience, professionalism, one of the manager’s favourites. Rosicky has stood in as captain on occasions but in truth doesn’t play often enough to merit the position.

Glove affair? Goalkeeper Wojiech Szczesny is popular in the dressing room but an outsider for the captaincy

Abou Diaby - The longest serving player in this current squad. He’s a regular starter, right?

Watch out for...

Calum Chambers - Wenger has high hopes for the 19-year-old, who in his little experience at the club so far can already be seen organising his new team-mates from the back.

Which Arsenal players will make your Fantasy Football squad?

CLICK HERE to start picking your Fantasy Football team NOW! There’s £60,000 in prizes including £1,000 up for grabs EVERY WEEK… 

Chambers: I couldn't turn down chance to work with Wenger

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