Cesc Fabregas is the leading candidate to replace William Gallas as Arsenal captain after the Frenchman was stripped of the armband by manager Arsene Wenger.
Fabregas was suspended for the 3-0 defeat against Manchester City, when goalkeeper Manuel Almunia led out the side.
A report in this morning's Sunday Express claims Fabregas, 21, will be named the club's new captain ahead of the Champions League visit of Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.
The paper suggests handing Fabregas the responsibility will strengthen his ties to the club and help repel the advances of potential suitors like Barcelona and Real Madrid.
It is unclear whether Gallas, who was left out of the matchday squad in Manchester, will return against the Ukranians.
Wenger has insisted Gallas remains committed to Arsenal, despite his outspoken criticism of his team-mates.
"Obviously he has a future at the club," Wenger said, though he refused elaborate on the situation surrounding the player.
"Here in a post-match interview I will not speak about William Gallas. There was nothing disturbing before the game, we had a good focus, we were well concentrated. I believe it was a flattering victory for Manchester City today.
"William Gallas is a player who doesn't play today. So what can he do for the club? Why do we not then talk of Fabregas and all the other nine players not here?"
This morning's News of the World claims Gallas has been told to apologise to his team-mates if he wishes to remain at the club. While other reports have linked West Ham defender Matthew Upson with a return to Arsenal in January as a potential replacement for Gallas.
Meanwhile, former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn says Gallas must apologise if he is to remain at the Emirates Stadium.
"Arsene Wenger has got to deal with it," said Winterburn. "If he takes the captaincy away and keeps him at the club, then obviously Gallas is going to have to apologise. The players are then just going to have to accept that and get on.
"But importantly for William Gallas, he is now going to have to win back over the fans, because they are the ones who can make or break your career."(telegraph)
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