Arsenal have been tightening all the loose bolts in recent months. They started off by securing Gabriel Martinelli’s new contract, then it was Mohamed Elneny and they’re currently working on William Saliba and Bukayo Saka.
Recent news has emerged from Caught Offside, the Gunners are in talks with Granit Xhaka over a new contract. His current deal expires next summer, having been at the club since 2016. The new two-year extension could see the former captain reach the decade mark at Arsenal, certainly confirming his place in the hall of fame.
Xhaka hasn’t always been the pinnacle of success at Arsenal. In fact, there was a point in time when it was quite the opposite. A few years ago when he was captain at the Emirates Stadium, he would involve himself in a tiff with the fans, gesturing they shouldn’t boo him off the field with all his disciplinary issues at the time.
However, working under Mikel Arteta has really changed that. Being a club legend himself, Arteta knows what it takes to win back the hearts of the Emirates faithful. He’s encouraged Xhaka to work harder this season than ever before and it’s paid off, being his best season since he signed in 2016.
Understandably, Granit Xhaka is the first name on Mikel Arteta’s team selection. Week in week out he plays and it’s hard to imagine a team without him in. Ageing now at 30 years old, Arteta will want to reward Xhaka by retiring him at Arsenal, the place where he’s worked tirelessly to become the midfielder he is today.
Arsenal will likely look for a midfielder to sign in the summer, with Mohamed Elneny out injured until the middle of next season. However, make no mistake – Xhaka’s place in the starting XI is very solid.
What’s been your favourite Granit Xhaka moment at Arsenal?