Arnold named new Wolfsburg captain
Entering his 12th season for VfL Wolfsburg, German international Maximilian Arnold will now also assume the responsibility of captaining his Bundesliga side in the coming season.
VfL Wolfsburg confirmed that "club man" Maximilian Arnold will snap on the skipper's armband during the coming season on Friday. The 28-year-old takes over the role from keeper Koen Casteels, who himself only took over the captaincy from Joshua Guilavogui last summer. Casteels and defender Maxence Lacroix shall remain in the team's leadership circle as alternates. Defender Sebastiaan Bornauw and back-up keeper Pavao Pervan, it was revealed, were also elected to the team council in the internal election that took place late last week.
Arnold has made a total of 285 competitive appearances for "die Wölfe" over the past 12 years. In that time he's netted 34 tallies for Germany's green company team. At this point, it remains unclear if head-coach Niko Kovac will carry two of the team's former captains on his roster heading into the new Bundesliga season. Former skipper Guilavogui has rejoined the team following a loan-out to his native France last spring.
The future of Wolfsburg's other "club man" is far from certain after noncommittal statements from both the coaching staff and club management. Kovac has publicly divulged that he wishes to retain the Frenchman's leadership presence, possibly using him as Arnold's defensive-minded partner in midfield following Xaver Schlager's departure. Guilavogui has been competing with Yannick Gerhardt and the newly-signed Mattias Svanberg for the slot in training camp.
Max Arnold trägt die Kapitänsbinde in der kommenden Saison! 🐺
— VfL Wolfsburg (@VfL_Wolfsburg) July 29, 2022
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