Granit Xhaka is one player all eyes will be on in the summer. Several reports have linked him with a move away from the Emirates in the past few days, with Bayer Leverkusen strongly linked.
The Xabi Alonso-led side is sure the Swiss international is what their midfield needs and is set to pounce on any chance of him joining their project.
When I looked at these reports, I thought Arsenal was set to suffer a brutal blow if their gem of a midfielder, Granit Xhaka, left at the end of the season.
The Arsenal No. 34 is undoubtedly a key part of Arteta’s project. Playing alongside Martin Odegaard as a double No. 8, he’s been in his best form ever; his five goals and seven assists have helped Arsenal achieve their best. Xhaka has changed many Gooners’ perspectives on him; his resurgence has seen him win the hearts of many; thus, it will take time before the fans get over his absence were he to leave.
Besides fans loving him, is anyone big enough to fit in his “big shoes” at Arsenal? Xhaka not only impresses in midfield but is also the vocal leader pushing this young Arsenal side. I believe there’s no one like him. Arsenal still needs to find the perfect replacement for him. And it is not as easy as Edu and Arteta’s diving into the transfer market and returning with someone similar is it?
Granit Xhaka will leave a gap were he to leave, and before Mikel Arteta fills the gap, he would have searched long long and hard.
Mikel Arteta needs to search for the best midfielder who will fit Xhaka’s position before letting the midfielder leave Arsenal. The 30-year-old just can’t leave, even if it means giving him a new deal, then so be it.
He is a fantastic mentor to our young talents, whether he is playing or not…
Darren N
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If we still play with 3-2-4-1 next season, we’d need someone with Xhaka’s abilities to succeed him, which are his positional awareness, aerial ability, work rate and passing skills
The new CM should also be able to make crosses from the left wing and through balls near the left sideline frequently, which can only be done consistently by a left-footed midfielder
Danilo/ Marc Roca fit those criteria and they could be affordable in the summer, if their clubs get relegated
Gai, from what I have seen of Danilo is technical abilities are not top notch but he is a great DM. I think ESR should be groomed into that. Even while Xhaka is still around.
I think most Brazilian CMs have very good technical skills, which make them signed by European clubs?
As someone who has never called out Xhaka, I usually wonder why many are so incensed with him and always try to scapegoat him. I’m sure many have forgotten that he’s a Wenger player. There’s a reason why every manager we have had always trust him to start matches. Even the holy book says that in the mouth of two or three, a case is established. All three managers cannot be wrong. New contract loading
At this point, it would be a grievous mistake to let Xhaka go while Arteta is still building. He may not be indispensable in the pitch but his leadership qualities are hard to come by; he’s painfully stubborn, fiercely LOYAL and extremely committed to Arsenal. He’s deeply loving to the younger squad members and never really blows his top at any of them like we all know he’s capable of.
The man is like a “jealous hen that guards over its chickens”.
I find it a difficult one to assess. His on field abilities are significant, but definitely not irreplaceable – it could be an opportunity to bring in someone ‘better’ in some aspects, but there’s definitely more to xhaka than what is obvious on the pitch (I think he makes a lot of subtle tactical movements that most fans like myself are relatively ignorant to, not to mention his oft mention influence/leadership role), so it could be felt more than one might expect.
At the same time, he’s been here a long time, and all good things must come to and end at some point. We’d just have to be very careful about who comes in to replace him. Perhaps the jorginho signing would offset his loss to degree – he seems like a very positive influence on his teammates.
Agreed, to sum it up its a risk worth taking and by the way he’s aging, we’re bound to lose him in the near future. If I were Edu I’d take 20 to 25 mil and reinvest somewhere.
He is the spine of the team where some of the younger players have difficulty when the going gets tough !! Has been extremely unfairly treated in the past by some supporters. A top team player and is still Swiss captain. Must be a reason for that ???
Still has probably three years at this level. We should not let him go at this stage !!!
Where was he during the City game? if he wants to go then we shouldn’t hold him back, he may come to resent the fact, when it’s time, it makes no sense to keep him. I have been impressed with Xhaka all this season, and he has been with the rest of the team instrumental in our great season.
JRS, three years is a bit of an exaggeration I think. He’s done well for us most of this season though.
Keep him for another year and see how it goes.
I’m very optimistic about next season and can’t wait for De Bruyne to be toppled as the “best” offensive midfielder, when Martin Odegaard undisputedly takes over that role from him.
I want us to be known as having the best players in the league. Whenever I’ve been mildly critical of Odegaard it’s only because I want him to be the very best. Incidentally there were periods this season when De Bruyne was not that effective imo. Let’s have perfection.
Back to Xhaka though, he deserves more time with us.
It’s a massive gamble to move him on, you got to have a remarkable understanding of humanity and the modern game to get the big picture.
Having said that he should be allowed to leave if he wants out, it could be for families reason.
If we want to upgrade and improve some players have to be replaced, it’s unavoidable.
Our midfield needs upgrading if we want to overtake City next year. If we have Caicedo or Onana playing as an 8 I think it’s an upgrade.
Rice would solidify us defensively, but don’t think he can contribute offensively what Xhaka has for us.
Having Xhaka as a backup would be great, but would he take that? We have to bring in money if we want to get top players with top fees.
Xhaka, and Balogun have drawn interest, but others that need to depart there is doubt.
Pepe? Tavares? Lokogna?
IMHO we would make a mistake IF we offloaded Balogun, or Tierney, ESR, some of the players drawing interest.
Difficult choice to be made, this Summer will be interesting.
Durand You generally write balanced posts and you have done again here. My view is that were money not a factor, which it IS, it would be good to keep Xhaka for one more season to ensure a smooth ultimate changing of the guard in midfield and to keep Xhakas leadership qualities and experience. Possibly, I could even say for TWO more years.
BUT, money IS a key factor in team strengthening and no clubs fans can have it all ways. We definitely NEED more midfield quality and to not lose our sheer physical power- hence keeping Xhaka- but a choice of what is best, given financial restrictions, HAS to be made.
With THAT in mind, I prefer to let Xhaka leave, and replace with a faster, more mobile and still physically powerful box to box player. CAICEDO would be my choice.
I would quickly cut my losses on the weedy Viera and find him a new club. He was always totally unsuited to our highly physical Prem and always would be, IF he stays.
IT WAS, IN HINDSIGHT, A FOOLISH BUY!
Our other real problem concerning making money from sales, is that those players we need to sell, which you list- and I would definitely include Holding- would not fetch much in at all, by comparison to what we NEED to spend on proper strengthening.
I think the Rice sitation will run and run for quite some weeks yet and, at the last moment, he will sign for either CHELSEA or MAN U, as we will not be willing to match their offers.
We MUST, IMO keep ESR, as it would be a grave mistake to let him OR Tierney leave. Both are vital to keep!
Let him go . He´s wrong side of 30 now . Try Zinchenko there ? Tierney must be retained . Standards will go up next season with Champions League involvement so we need quality younger additions – preferably with Premier League experience .
His age means that it will not be a big decision, if he stays or goes we will be looking at another player in that position. I am far from convinced he will make a patient bench sitter
This is Xhaka’s best season for us, and there’s no reason why he can’t repeat that, but Arsenal usually does not prevent wanting away players, and the story is that his wife is homesick (all of a sudden?). His two children are not yet of school age, so perhaps that’s her motivation as now would be an ideal time to leave, but perhaps Arteta & Edu could sweet-talk him into staying for at least one more season. I hope so.