Xhaka stays
Influential midfielder Granit Xhaka has signed a new contract at Arsenal, which will keep him at the club until 2025, as per Football.London’s Arsenal correspondent Chris Wheatley.
Granit Xhaka has signed a new contract extension with Arsenal until 2025. #AFC https://t.co/1oDSAqt8Oh
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) August 16, 2021
The Swiss midfielder was subject of transfer speculation earlier in the summer, with Roma thought to be pushing hard for his signature. However, the clubs could not agree on a fee and thus Xhaka returned to training in Arsenal colours.
In a complete U-turn, it was the Swiss international who captained the side in the absence of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Brentford on the opening day of the season, almost two years on from being stripped of the captaincy after his antics against Crystal Palace.
And now it appears as though Xhaka is set to remain at the club until 2025, signing a two-year extension to his current deal which was due to expire in 2023. This means that the 28 year old midfielder will, if he sees out his deal, remain at the club until he is 32.
Another one in?
With Thomas Partey currently injured, Arsenal are short on midfield options. At present, Xhaka, Elneny and new boy Albert-Sambi Lokonga are the only options for Mikel Arteta to call upon. With that in mind, it is unsurprising to have seen the Gunners linked to the likes of Manuel Locatelli, Yves Bissouma and Ruben Neves.
However, none of these moves have been forthcoming and, with Arsenal not competing in European football this season, it seems unlikely that any of them would arrive in north London now that Xhaka is staying.