Martin Keown has suggested that Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini should be given the club captaincy.

The 29-year-old was criticised by his manager for cutting the sleeves off his shirt during their 1-0 defeat against Manchester United.

In what has become a club tradition, the Arsenal captain chooses the length of shirt and Per Mertesacker had decided they would wear long sleeves at Old Trafford.

While Keown agrees that Flamini's actions were wrong, he was impressed that he stood up for himself and believes his recent performances on the pitch have merited the captain's armband.

"Flamini is Arsenal's braveheart, providing that bite in midfield, and I like that he has enough character to challenge the decision. Though, maybe getting the scissors out was a step too far," he wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.

"It's a fine balancing act keeping that tradition and making sure everybody respects it.

"Maybe the easiest thing would be to make just make Flamini captain. Then everybody can wear their sleeves short, even when even when it's freezing. Plus, there'll be no need for any last-minute tailoring in the dressing room."

Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League table.