His place in the squad is similar: he does not wear the armband but many at the club claim he is skipper in all but name. The 30-year-old has been an important, underrated attacking player, and one not burdened by the expectation carried by Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka. That time has been vindicated as the Arsenal manager found him a suitable role in the team.

Xhaka nearly walked away from the club in 2020, months after he was stripped of the captaincy after a public falling out with the fans, but Mikel Arteta told him to give it some time. Some saw him as part of the problem as Arsenal slid towards the middle of the table, others saw him as misunderstood and scapegoated.īut if Xhaka chooses to part ways with the club this summer, his departure will come at the moment he is finally universally liked at the Emirates Stadium. Many are surprised he has survived this long. Over his seven years at Arsenal, Xhaka has done his fair share of dividing the Arsenal fanbase. The Swiss midfielder is in the best scoring season at the club, having netted seven times in all competitions in a new-found attacking role for Arsenal this term. Get Sky Sports | Download the Sky Sports App.He joined from Borussia Monchengladbach for around £30m in 2016. The 30-year-old is in his seventh season at Arsenal. Xhaka is about to enter final 12 months of his contract and - as it stands - no talks are planned over an extension.īayer Leverkusen are thought to be confident of signing him for next season. Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is increasingly likely to leave the club this summer.

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