Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva has admitted he was 'surprised' to be overlooked for the Gunners captaincy this season.
The 30-year-old led Arsene Wenger's side for much of last season in the absence of the injured Thierry Henry, who has since left the club.
And the Brazilian has revealed his shock when he found out Wenger had opted to give the armband to defender William Gallas - via the internet.
'Of course I was surprised because I was captain all last season when Henry didn't play, and after his move to Barcelona I naturally thought I would be this time,' he told the Daily Star.
'Arsene is the manager and it is his decision and I have to accept that. Life goes on and I will get on with my job like I always have.
'But I was surprised he didn't speak to me about his decision. He had the time to do it because I was at the training ground before it was made public.
'He didn't say anything to me and I just found out about it that evening when I saw it on the Arsenal website.
'I wasn't upset about not being captain, but I was about the way I learnt about it.'
He added: 'I will give the same commitment to the club that I always have. This is an important season.'
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Blackburn manager Mark Hughes insists there is no longer any bad blood between his side and Arsenal.
The Gunners travel to Ewood Park with memories of last season's bitter FA Cup defeat at the hands of Rovers still fresh in their minds.
After a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium, Cesc Fabregas made insulting remarks to Hughes' face and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was also uncomplimentary about Blackburn following their 1-0 win in the replay.
Hughes claims, however, that those events are in the past.
He said: 'We won through last season in the cup after a great strike from Benni McCarthy.
'People seem to forget a few weeks before that we had been beaten by six goals at the Emirates. We went back there with a gameplan, got the job done, Benni was available for the replay and he made the difference.'
Asked about the responses of Fabregas and Wenger, the Rovers boss added: 'In fairness to the young man he apologised afterwards in the dressing room and that was the end of it as far as I am concerned.
'When managers get beat they tend to look at the game from their point of view and I'm guilty of that as well. After you have had a painful defeat it can be difficult to give credit to the opposing team and you have to recognise that.'
Blackburn will give McCarthy a full check-up to ensure he has recovered from concussion before including him in the squad.
The South African striker suffered a head injury at Middlesbrough last weekend and was taken to hospital following the game.
If he is passed fit, Hughes may select him to partner Roque Santa Cruz for the first time.
Hughes said: 'All my strikers can play together in different combinations and Roque and Benni certainly have that capacity.
'Benni likes to come off and get involved in the build-up and Roque goes long and gives us an aerial threat.'
Wenger hopes Arsenal can build up some early-season momentum with another victory - but knows there is still plenty of football to be played in the race for the Barclays Premier League title.
The Gunners were in European action earlier this week and so have now played a league match less than rivals Manchester United and Chelsea.
With Liverpool - also entered in the Champions League qualifiers - hosting the Blues on Sunday and United looking for their first win of the campaign in the Manchester derby at Eastlands, it could be just the opportunity for Wenger's men to strike an early psychological blow.
The Arsenal manager, however, knows there is a long road ahead between now and May next year.
'We will try - but you will have to play Chelsea and Liverpool as well at some stage,' he said. 'We want to have a good run and get good momentum.
'We had a good tournament at the Emirates and in Ajax, a good start against Fulham and it is a big relief to have got the result in the Champions League.
'We are not in yet, but we have made a good first step.'
Wenger rejected suggestions defending champions United were now lagging behind in this season's race for top spot.
'I do not think you can read much into that already,' he said.
'Manchester United had a difficult start against Reading, but 1-1 at Portsmouth is not a bad performance. Everybody can drop points at Portsmouth.'
Wenger accepts the pundits have given his young side little chance to regain the title last won in such style four seasons ago.
However, the French coach is confident they can prove the doubters wrong.
'Everybody has written us off before the championship started and we want to show everybody we have a good chance to do it - but we have only played one game. We will learn more in 20 games,' the Arsenal boss said.
'I believe we are mature enough to be title winners, but the competition is very high.'
Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor could return to the squad in time for the visit of Manchester City next weekend.
Summer signing Eduardo da Silva could make his debut at Ewood Park if the Croatian shakes off his ankle problem and passes a fitness test.
Wenger said: 'I am not sure if he will start. At the moment I am tempted to say no, but he will be in the squad.
'If he is okay physically that means there's no big pain in his ankle, but I will see. He is a brave player.'
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