Granit Xhaka and Arsenal – A healthy but necessary break up

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal takes a shot during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 23, 2021 in London, England. A limited number of fans will be allowed into Premier League stadiums as Coronavirus restrictions begin to ease in the UK. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal takes a shot during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 23, 2021 in London, England. A limited number of fans will be allowed into Premier League stadiums as Coronavirus restrictions begin to ease in the UK. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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If any single player has epitomised the performance of Arsenal Football Club in the last half-decade, then that would almost certainly be Granit Xhaka.

Sometimes good, sometimes bad, sometimes great and sometimes rotten – with Granit Xhaka, we really have seen it all.

Now, after 5 years, 3 different managers and 220 appearances for the club, it finally appears that Xhaka and Arsenal will be parting ways.

A break up that is entirely necessary – a break up that should be regarded as a healthy one.

Signing from Borussia Monchengladbach for £35 million in the summer of 2016, it was widely expected that Xhaka would be the central-midfield force that had long since abandoned Arsene Wenger’s sides.

A ball-winning midfielder that could spray the ball around the pitch was seen as the missing piece to a side that already possessed so much attacking talent in the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey.