Unai Emery pain, Man Utd glory: The best and worst of Granit Xhaka amid transfer exit talk

Granit Xhaka is reportedly considering an exit from Arsenal this summer after seven years at the club

It is safe to say Arsenal supporters have enjoyed and, at times, endured a love-hate relationship with Granit Xhaka.

As it stands, the Swiss international is in Gunners fans’ good books, playing an integral part in Mikel Arteta’s title charge. Xhaka is one of Arsenal’s long-serving players, with Mohamed Elneny - who arrived a few months earlier - the only other player surviving from the Arsene Wenger era.

There have been fireworks, arguments, tears and, let us not forget, celebrations during the 30-year-old’s seven-year stay in north London. But all of that could be coming to an end in the not-too-distant future.

Reports in Germany are suggesting Xhaka could be open to a summer move to Bayer Leverkusen - citing personal reasons. It is claimed Gunners sporting director Edu has halved his price tag, with the midfielder’s contract approaching its final year.

Should Xhaka leave, he will do so with Arsenal fans’ blessing - a feat that seemed unimaginable at one point. Here, football.london has relived the highs and lows of an eventful seven years in north London.

High - First FA Cup win

Xhaka became a trophy winner in his debut season, starting in the 2017 FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea. While his league form was indifferent, with Arsenal failing to qualify for the Champions League, securing a record-breaking seventh FA Cup of Wenger’s reign softened the blow.

The Swiss midfielder also played in the Community Shield victory over Chelsea just a few months later. These early beginnings showed glimpses of his future importance in later years at the Emirates Stadium.

Low - Captain controversy

After being made captain by Unai Emery in September 2019, it took just one month before he was stripped of the responsibility. Arsenal fans cheered once Xhaka was substituted - causing him to explode in retaliation.

The midfielder issued a foul-mouthed rant towards his critics before slamming his shirt on the floor. Emery was left with little choice but to strip Xhaka of the armband.

Without question, his darkest hour as an Arsenal player.

Low - Possible exit

The fallout of armband-gate saw Xhaka linked with a move away. Unsurprisingly, his relationship with supporters reached an all-time low and a transfer beckoned.

Xhaka did not play in Arsenal’s next three fixtures but regained his place against Norwich City over a month later. Despite featuring for the remainder of the campaign, rumours about a possible exit plagued the Gunners’ season.

High - Resurgence

Arteta’s appointment handed Xhaka a lifeline and he slowly regained the trust of Arsenal fans. As well as this, the midfielder improved his game, showing he can play on the left of a midfield three rather than only in a two-man pivot.

Xhaka soon earned his second FA Cup trophy, again beating Chelsea in the final. The now 30-year-old has already played a key role in the Gunners becoming title challengers under Arteta.

Low - Red-card rampage

One positive about Xhaka’s game can also, on occasions, be attributed as a negative. There is no denying the Swiss midfielder is one of the most fierce in the Premier League - and his disciplinary record proves it.

A red card against Liverpool in last year’s Carabao Cup semi-final was his fifth for the Gunners. In 294 games, Xhaka has also amassed 76 yellow cards - a rate of 0.26 per game.

High - Goal of the season

A thunderous strike against Manchester United last season earned Xhaka the club’s goal of the season award. In a back-and-forth contest, his 30-yard rocket whistled past David de Gea to sink the Red Devils.

Xhaka has a knack for the spectacular but this long-range bullet is arguably his best in an Arsenal shirt.

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