Jamie Redknapp suggests player Mikel Arteta sold for just £21m was the missing piece to Arsenal’s puzzle

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Arsenal drew 1-1 with Manchester United in a game that summed up Mikel Arteta’s struggles this season.

The quality of the Arsenal squad isn’t a problem for Arteta, but more so the lack of volume available to the manager.

During the Gunners’ draw with Man United, it became abundantly clear what the Spaniard was missing, with the North Londoners crying out for more depth in attack. 

Arsenal need to sign a striker, which is becoming a borderline boring assessment of Arteta’s squad but, that’s not the manager’s only problem according to one pundit. 

• READ MORE: ‘Having a nightmare’ – Arsenal fans beg Mikel Arteta to axe starter who was a ‘liability’ vs Man United

Jamie Redknapp suggests that Arsenal miss Granit Xhaka

With Andrea Berta set to become sporting director, there’s hope that the summer transfer window can be a turning point in Arteta’s project. 

A reliable source of goals and additional quality across the front line is essential ahead of the 2025/26 campaign however, it’s not only attackers that the Gunners are lacking.

Jamie Redknapp analysed Arsenal’s draw with Man United on Sky Sports, where he admitted that there’s no ‘joy’ when watching Arteta’s side anymore. 

“I felt they were so reliant on set pieces, that’s not working at the moment. I don’t think there’s been a joy in Arsenal’s play this season compared to last,” Redknapp said.

The pundit went on to namedrop one player whose exit has impacted how fluidly Arsenal play between midfield and attack, identifying Granit Xhaka as a missing piece. 

“If you go back to the year before that when they had Xhaka in midfield, I don’t see it [the quality].”

While Arsenal have a solid foundation with David Raya in goal and a sturdy defence, transitioning from midfield to attack is a frequent stumbling block for Arteta’s players.

Arteta sanctioned Xhaka’s transfer to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2023, offloading the Switzerland international for only £21m, seeing him go on to instantly win silverware. 

Xhaka has been impressing at Bayer Leverkusen since his Arsenal exit, with Redknapp suggesting that those at the Emirates are still missing the 32-year-old’s excellence.

Xhaka is showing Arsenal what they’re missing

While signing Declan Rice has been a success for Arsenal, there are still elements of Xhaka’s game missing in Arteta’s midfield.

It’s not the first time that the Gunners have been told that the Swiss midfielder’s exit was costly, as Ian Wright admitted that Arsenal miss Xhaka only last season.

As seen above, the 32-year-old is still playing his best football almost two years after his Arsenal exit, rising as one of the best in his position in the Bundesliga.

Arsene Wenger’s signing is offering Leverkusen what Arsenal are missing, that link between midfield and attack, giving weight to Redknapp’s assessment of the Gunners this season.