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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger makes bizarre admission ahead of West Ham clash
THE sense of confusion at Arsenal has deepened as Arsene Wenger admitted he did not know who his captain was on Sunday.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits he didn't know who his captain was against Man City
Skipper Laurent Koscielny was replaced at the break against Manchester City but no player appeared to wear the armband in the second half.
Arsene Wenger struggled to explain the situation yesterday as a handful of fans loitered outside dressed up as the Frenchman, wantaway forward Alexis Sanchez and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.
"Err, I don't remember," said Wenger when asked who had taken the armband from Koscielny. Did he elect someone at half-time? "No, it is a good question. Nobody asked me who is captain."
Laurent Koscielny was replaced at half time in the draw with Man City at the Emirates
Premier League rules state "the captain of each team appearing in a league match shall wear an armband provided by the league indicating his status as such" and a fine will be issued to those who fail to comply.
Wenger was also unable to confirm who will take the armband in the injured Koscielny's absence tonight against West Ham.
Protesters included a man dressed as Wenger holding a "fourth-place" trophy and a banner calling for fans to boycott Arsenal's sponsors as the pressure mounted on their manager.
Slaven Bilic looks on during a West Ham training session ahead of their clash with Arsenal
"It is three guys," said Wenger. "Honestly, why should I waste energy on that? I don't know what to say. It is good that they can waste their day like that."
Slaven Bilic is hoping his day will not be wasted when he tries to heap fresh misery on Wenger and take the pressure off himself in the process.
Even so, Bilic said: "He definitely deserves more respect. From everybody. Arsenal was always big club, even before Wenger, but it is also true that Wenger brought Arsenal to a different level, to be one of the biggest clubs in Europe."