Former Tottenham defender Alan Hutton expects Granit Xhaka to sign a new deal and remain at Arsenal because the Gunners are clearly going places.
The midfielder could have left the club at the start of 2020 after falling out with the fans and losing the captaincy.
However, Mikel Arteta made him stay and it is a decision he will be happy he made for the rest of his life.
The experienced Swiss midfielder is now leading the Gunners’ resurgence this season and could end his spell at the club as a Premier League winner.
There are rumours that he will soon sign an extension and Hutton is not surprised, considering the progress Arsenal is making now.
He tells Football Insider:
“The midfield at Arsenal at the moment really suits him. The likes of [Thomas] Partey, Jorginho, it frees him up a bit to go and play a bit further forward. So it would not surprise me if they offer him a new contract and he stays for a number of years.
“You get that good feel factor about you again from being so low, and I felt it when I was at Aston Villa, to turning it around. Ultimately they are fighting for the Premier League, so it is somewhere you want to be.
“Arteta is building something special there, so you would want to be part of that.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Xhaka is one of the drivers of success in the current Arsenal team and the midfielder cannot leave us now.
Even after this season, his contributions will still be significant to our cause, so extending his contract is a win-win decision.
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Xhaka is a natural born leader so his contribution on and off the pitch crucial.
I sanction any deal to keep him around much longer.
Viera..will..step..in..for..him
Xhaka has been immense for us and is showing the true player he is. Previously, when we didnt have that steel centre, he took it upon himself to be that midfield enforcer – something that turned some/many fans wrongly against him.
I for one, would totally love it if he stayed, cos we’re a better team with him in it, however if he decides to collect his PL winners medal (hopefully) and then go elsewhere, i wouldnt blame or begrudge him, given the abhorrent abuse he and his family faced from some quarters.
As a lifelong (50yrs +) Gooner, i am hugley proud of my club, but sometimes i’m totally embarrassed by some fans.
No doubt Xhaka as well as the whole squad deserve praise but alas for Xhaka if AFC get Rice he’s gonna spend a lot of time on the bench cos that lad is ten times better.
Let’s be real , it was the idiotic mistake’s he made which turned fan’s not against him but wondering what the hell is he doing.
I guess he’s just found the right slot where he doesn’t need to get himself into those tricky spot’s and so look’s much better , but he was always a good player.
What happened to this guy? So often a false macho, foolish jerk, yellow card winning idiot. Suddenly a relatively mature footballer both emotionally and performance wise. I must wonder…. did Mr. Partey influence this squad member mightily? I think ya.
I would start with 1 year at a time. The PL will soon take its
toll out of him. Replace with a quicker and more technical
player soon..
We have a ready replacement in Zinchenko.Personally I do not feel Zhaka has been a vital cog in our resurgence this season, and while I am probably in the minority, I would not be averse to him moving on.On the same theme, I would not have extended the contract for Elneny, much as I admire his dedication to the cause.At the end of the day I suspect the man who matters will extend his contract which will effectively hasten the departure of Tierney who is a conventional LB who does not have the ball skills of Zinchenko and will never be comfortable in the “inverted” role which seems to be flavour of the month at present .A number of Clubs will be interested in KT as they fully appreciate his qualities and his attitude which is second to none.
Granit is a good player with a great leadership and personality on and off the pitch, letting him go is not a wise decision,
If Eleneny Sideways passes got a contract Xhaka dont!?? just saying
with many players under 25 in our Squad his presence is very important for them to feel protected and confident rememeber Ramsdale incident with Spurs Fans and Gabriel’s with Henderson at the Emirates Xhaka did not hesitate to stand for them, this Arsenal is not Arsenal of few years ago every team used to bully now Arsenal is the Bully because of this Guy