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Mikel Arteta has revealed why Granit Xhaka didn't take the Arsenal captain's armband during Saturday's 2-1 win over Brentford.

The Gunners secured their second win on the bounce thanks to goals from Hale End academy graduates Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka, a result that leaves them just one point behind fourth-placed Manchester United, who have played two extra matches in the league.

However, some supporters were left bemused when tough-tackling midfielder Xhaka appeared to turn down the captain's armband when Eddie Nketiah tried to give him it deep into the second half.

Arsenal writer Kaya Kaynak cleared up the situation, explaining that it had nothing to do with the Swiss international's commitment to the club.

Kaynak's tweets read: "Just catching up on the Xhaka captain stuff. For clarity Laca was trying to give the armband to Tierney who was preparing to take a throw but couldn’t hear Laca’s shout.

"Laca therefore gave it to Eddie to give to KT, but EN was told to stay in the CF position by Arteta.

"Nketiah then tried to give it to Xhaka to give to Tierney at that point but the throw in was about to be taken so GX told him to just hold on to it.

"Not a case of Xhaka refusing the responsibility at all & a bit of a stretch to say it’s a lack of commitment or anything like that."

Now, Arsenal boss Arteta has also explained that the armband was always intended for Kieran Tierney as he is