EXCLUSIVE: Granit Xhaka is untouchable at Arsenal

Steve Kay

• Updated: 2 May 2023 12:34 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal will not consider an exit for Granit Xhaka this summer, FootballTransfers can reveal, with the Switzerland international midfielder considered untouchable by manager Mikel Arteta.

It has been rumoured that midfielder Xhaka could leave the Emirates, with the Gunners willing to listen to offers.

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The theory of these reports is that the 30-year-old, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €32 million, would make way for possible new signings such as Brighton's Moises Caicedo and West Ham United's Declan Rice, but according to sources close to the club the Swiss, he remains one of the players that Arteta looks at as indispensable to the squad.

Xhaka’s Arsenal career has gone full circle since arriving at the club from Borussia Monchengladbach in July 2016, with Arsene Wenger the manager who brought him in. He hit a low point in 2019 when he was booed off by Gunners fans against Crystal Palace, lost the captaincy and appeared destined to leave in disgrace. He has enjoyed an incredible recovery to become a cult hero among supporters.

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Xhaka has become key under Arteta

Indeed, Xhaka has become one of the club’s most instrumental players as they battle Manchester City to the wire for the Premier League title, scoring seven goals and fashioning five assists for the north London outfit this season.

Given licence to play a roaming role in midfield and made vice-captain, Xhaka’s importance in Arteta’s eyes is obvious.

He previously revealed Arteta convinced him to stay at Arsenal when he appeared to be on his way out.

Speaking of the Spaniard in glowing terms, he explained: “There was one guy, his name is Mikel Arteta, I will always support him it doesn't matter what happens.”

If anything, a new contract for Xhaka, whose current deal expires in 2024, is looking likelier after Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Aaron Ramsdale have put pen to paper.