Koscielny raised eyebrows last Thursday when Arsenal released a statement indicating that their captain, who is seeking a move away from the club, had refused to join his colleagues for pre-season.
Koscielny is being courted by some French clubs and Arsenal’s inability to qualify for next season’s Champions League has made the 33-year-old interested in a move away from the Emirates Stadium after nine years of invaluable service.
Xhaka is now favourite to become the beneficiary of Koscielny’s disciplinary problems after manager Unai Emery earmarked him as the Frenchman’s successor.
Arsenal have lost valuable experience in the off-season after goalkeeper Petr Cech retired and Aaron Ramsey left to join Juventus on a free transfer.
Emery said: “We have spoken about the captaincy. Last year we had Aaron Ramsey and Petr Cech who have left us.
"And Laurent Koscielny, who has a contract, who he told us he wants to leave.
“I want between three and five captains in the team.
"We have Granit, we have Mesut Ozil and Nacho Monreal and there are other players who can also take this position.”
Xhaka has been at Arsenal since the summer of 2016 after joining from German side Borussia Monchengladbach and has won one FA Cup trophy at the Emirates Stadium.
Xhaka has captained Arsenal occasionally in the past and has expressed interest in taking the armband full-time.
The Swiss midfielder said: “I have been the captain here and in Germany and with my national team.
“If the coach gave me the armband of course I would be happy because it is something special.
“But what we need is for everyone to work together on and off the pitch and to take leadership from all the players.”
