With the summer transfer window soon upon us, the rumour mill is slowly creaking into life, and the latest reports this week suggest that Arsenal could sell Granit Xhaka.
Multiple outlets reported on Tuesday that the 31-year-old Swiss international could be sold amid rumours that Arsenal are ready to spend big on multiple midfielders, with Mikel Arteta keen to add two long-term options to replace Xhaka and Thomas Partey.
With the Arsenal no. 34 enjoying his best season to date in the Premier League and finally becoming a fan favourite after years of being a split personality with supporters, suggestions that the Gunners could now sell Xhaka when his popularity is at his peak seem crazy. And that’s because they are.
Here are three reasons why Arsenal would be mental to sell Xhaka this summer amid growing rumours over a potential departure.
Why Pele Is Overrated.
Quality depth is needed if Arsenal want to build from this season
Let’s just get the obvious reason out of the way first. If Arsenal want to improve on their incredible achievements this season, they simply have to keep as many good players in the squad as possible, even if it means dropping the likes of Xhaka to the bench for a younger model.
It’s a method that has allowed Manchester City to dominate for as long as they have in the Premier League, though Arsenal’s would be on a smaller and much more legal standing than their Etihad Stadium rivals, which is why Xhaka staying is huge.
There’s a good reason why Arteta would want to replace some members of the first-team, your Rob Holdings and Mohamed Elnenys for instance, yet selling Xhaka because we’re about to spend big on players in his position could do more damage that good, especially with UEFA Champions League football returning next season.
Arteta needs as many dressing room leaders as possible
One of the key pillars of Arteta’s success at Arsenal is his ability to bring leadership back into the squad, and whilst Martin Odegaard wears the captain’s armband, it’s evident for everyone, including those in the team, that the real commander in charge is Xhaka, and this role has been huge.
The midfielder has been a leader for Arsenal this season both on and off the pitch, and with Xhaka now straightening out his disciplinary record and taking his game to a whole new level, the former Bundesliga skipper is needed now more than ever at the Emirates Stadium.
With Xhaka, Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko and even Bukayo Saka to an extent all real leaders in the dressing room, selling one of the key four could cause huge problems for Arsenal behind the scenes, and maintaining this dynamic will be key in the upcoming season.
Arsenal selling Xhaka would be disrespectful to the player
Xhaka has spoken openly about Arteta is the main reason why the midfielder is still an Arsenal player today, with the Swiss star coming close to leaving the club in January of 2020, and after the season the 31-year-old has just had, it would be an incredible disservice from the Gunners’ boss to sell arguably his greatest success story yet at the club.
As we know, though, all we are hearing thus far is rumours, with zero evidence suggesting that Arteta is the one behind wanting to sell Xhaka this summer, and with the Arsenal manager as loyal as he is to his players, there is a chance that the Basque coach doesn’t want the Swiss general to leave.
Indeed, Xhaka’s future will be an interesting story to watch this summer, and for many Arsenal fans, they will want to hope that the midfielder remains in north London after playing such an incredible role for the club this season and for finally pushing the team to a Champions League finish after multiple failed attempts over the years.