Arsenal star Granit Xhaka is playing his best football for the Londoners since his 2016 arrival but has revealed that he is unsure whether he would accept the club captaincy if he was offered it again.
Previous boss Unai Emery stripped Xhaka of the armband after he became embroiled in a vitriolic bust up with fans while he was being substituted.
The midfielder seemed destined to be sold back to Germany at the earliest opportunity but he has now regained his place in the team and taken his form to new heights under Mikel Arteta.
Xhaka has played every minuted of Arsenal's 10-game unbeaten run under the young manager and there have even been suggestions that he could be re-instated as skipper.
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But the 27-year-old has shut down the talk, saying he would have to think twice about whether he would accept such an offer.
"If one day the club asks me about the armband, I have to think twice," Xhaka told Standard Sport. "There was a moment, because it was not easy for me and my family. I hope people understand this.
"But I think I showed my character. I am not a guy who runs away.
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I always say to the club, 'When I [am] here, I am ready to give everything'. It was like this always.
"I train very hard and that things turned around is the key. This [has given me] the most happiness."
Xhaka has worn the armband since having it taken away from him, reluctantly taking on the mantle in the final stages of last month's 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace.
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"I know with or without the armband what I can give the team," he said.
"But in this moment [against Palace] I don't want to take the armband back, but Sokratis (Papastathopoulos) and David (Luiz) told me I have to take it."
Xhaka starred as Arsenal beat Everton 3-2 on Sunday but may be rested when Olympiakos come to the Emirates for the second leg of their Europa League tie on Thursday.
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