Stan Collymore believes that Jack Wilshere should be the next Arsenal captain.

Reports have surfaced recently claiming that the Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is thinking of taking the armband off Thomas Vermaelen, and Collymore feels that Wilshere is the ideal candidate to become the new skipper at the Emirates Stadium.

"It is understood Wenger is having a rethink over his own skipper next year, with Thomas Vermaelen suffering a poor season along with the rest of Arsenal's back four," Collymore wrote in his column in The People.

"A decision to make Wilshere captain so early in his career is one I do not think he would regret. Even at the age of 21, I believe he can handle the pressure and responsibility. I think he wants to be the leader of this Emirates team.

"Arsenal are not in a good moment but by telling Wilshere he is their main man – on and off the pitch – it would help him grow. And that would then reflect on the rest of the team."

Arsenal are currently fifth in the Premier League.