Granit Xhaka 'has told Mikel Arteta he wants to leave Arsenal'

After the season is over, Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, will need to address a number of squad-related issues.

Even though Arsenal still has a slim possibility of winning the Premier League, it is increasingly improbable that the trophy will be going to the Emirates given that Manchester City currently leads the standings by four points with only three games left in their campaign.
After dominating the league for the majority of the season, Arsenal are poised to finish just short, and Arteta will be eager to add the reinforcements required to launch another title bid the following season.
The club is apparently willing to sell 10 players to raise the money for the squad makeover, so he will be given a transfer war chest of up to £200 million to spend on new arrivals.
A new midfield will be at the top of the Spaniard’s wish list, with the Gunners’ top targets being Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and West Ham captain Declan Rice.
Xhaka set to leave Arsenal.
Arsenal are seemingly planning for life without vice-captain Granit Xhaka, who is expected to leave the Emirates this summer.

London World claim the midfielder, who first joined Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016, is ready for a new challenge.
It comes amid reports his wife, Leonita, is keen to return to Germany.
Xhaka is under contract with Arsenal until 2024 but Arteta is prepared to allow the midfielder to leave if the club receives a suitable offer this summer.

London World journalist Chris Wheatley claims the midfielder has already informed Arteta that he wants to leave the club.
It’s true: Granit Xhaka expected to leave Arsenal this summer after seven years at the club,” tweeted Wheatley.

“Swiss captain seeking new challenge. Already informed Mikel Arteta about his decision, but fully focused on final games.”

Bayer Leverkusen have been strongly linked with a move for Xhaka, who has managed an impressive return of seven goals and seven assists in 45 games for the Gunners this season.

German football expert Florian Plettenberg has confirmed Leverkusen are interested in Xhaka but are yet to make contact with Arsenal.

“[Xabi] Alonso wants him as a top leader. Understand that Xhaka wants to take on another challenge this summer. But he’s totally focused on @Arsenal now.

“Price valuation of around €15m. No negotiations between the clubs yet.”

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano later added: “Granit Xhaka, set to leave Arsenal at the end of the season. No negotiations over new deal and plan to part ways in June.

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“Bayer Leverkusen are in advanced talks to sign him — €15m fee. Understand personal terms are almost agreed over four year deal — June 2027.”

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Arsenal, Football, Premier League, Granit Xhaka, Mikel Arteta
Rory O’Callaghan
Arsenal send scouts to watch Granit Xhaka replacement with summer transfer ‘practically inevitable’
Joe Adams

Published 17:00, 25 April 2023 BST
| Last updated 17:10, 25 April 2023 BST

Arsenal have sent scouts to watch Granit Xhaka’s potential replacement, according to reports.

The Gunners are currently five points clear at the summit of the Premier League table, leaving fans dreaming of their first domestic title in nearly 20 years.

Only Manchester City stand in their way, with Pep Guardiola’s side breathing down their neck in second place.

All eyes will be on the Etihad when City host Arsenal in a title-defining contest.

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But in the midst of the drama, Mikel Arteta has reportedly identified Xhaka’s long-term replacement in the shape of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

Arteta is keen to strengthen his squad this summer, and wants to sign a ‘complete midfielder’, claim Portuguese news outlet O Jogo.

Ugarte to Arsenal?
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Arteta reportedly ‘liked’ Ugarte when Arsenal played the Portuguese giants in the Europa League earlier in the season, according to O Jogo.

The 22-year-old was sent off late in the day at the Emirates, but the Gunners boss was left impressed by his performance.

While the club sent scouts to watch him play against Juventus in Sporting Lisbon’s Europa League quarter-final which they lost 2-1 on aggregate.

Ugarte has made 43 appearances across all competitions for Sporting this term and is said to have ‘captivated’ the Gunners’ recruitment team.

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And that interest could materialise into a bid, with Ugarte’s departure ‘practically inevitable’, with the midfielder showing no desire to renew his current deal.

Meanwhile, Sporting could look to cash in on him as they seek to raise funds for new players this summer.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal are willing to meet the players’s €60m (£53m) release clause.

But the Uruguay international is seen as an alternative to Declan Rice, who has emerged as Arenal’s priority transfer target this summer.

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The English midfielder has rejected multiple contract extensions at West Ham and is allegedly keen on a move to north London.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Arsenal, Granit Xhaka, Sporting Lisbon, Transfers, Football, Mikel Arteta
Joe Adams
Granit Xhaka was presented with a gift from an Arsenal fan while he signed autographs
Ryan Sidle

Published 13:18, 30 May 2023 BST
| Last updated 13:18, 30 May 2023 BST

Granit Xhaka likely played his final game for Arsenal on the weekend and one fan’s gift shows how far he’s come in his journey at the Emirates.

It was an afternoon of celebration for Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, with fans not letting the manager get a word in, as they finished their campaign by handing an absolute spanking to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Gunners ran out 5-0 winners with Xhaka bagging a brace on what is expected to be his final game for Mikel Arteta’s side, with a transfer to Bayer Leverkusen heavily rumoured but not confirmed.

Even the midfielder basically revealed his move is going to happen, explaining to some fans that the decision to leave was nothing to do with his ‘missus’ as had been reported.

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In another interaction with a group of supporters the Switzerland midfielder was signing autographs when one presented him with a gift, as you can see in the video below.

The fan handed over a large photo frame with several different pictures of Xhaka’s time at Arsenal as a lovely momento from the past seven years.

It really shows how much perceptions of the 30-year-old have changed during his time in North London, now being such an influential and celebrated player.

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Only four years ago the former Basel player was booed by his own fans when he was substituted off in a game and he responded by cupping his ear.

He was also heard shouting at the crowd to ‘f**k off’ and then refused to apologise for the incident, at a time when he was club captain.

Even last year he was still being criticised for his lack of discipline and penchant for picking up either a red or yellow card, often in the biggest games.

Xhaka appeared to be saying his goodbyes at the weekend. Image: Alamy
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This season there has only been five yellow cards for Xhaka and no reds whilst he’s contributed seven goals and seven assists, his best return in an Arsenal shirt.

He hasn’t been able to completely dodge criticism however with both Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville blaming him for Liverpool’s comeback from 2-0 down against the Gunners.

Xhaka got himself booked and was part of a heated exchange just moments before Jurgen Klopp’s team pulled a goal back ahead of half time.
It’s true: Granit Xhaka expected to leave Arsenal this summer after seven years at the club,” tweeted Wheatley.

“Swiss captain seeking new challenge. Already informed Mikel Arteta about his decision, but fully focused on final games.”

Bayer Leverkusen have been strongly linked with a move for Xhaka, who has managed an impressive return of seven goals and seven assists in 45 games for the Gunners this season.

German football expert Florian Plettenberg has confirmed Leverkusen are interested in Xhaka but are yet to make contact with Arsenal.

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“News #Xhaka: Leverkusen is still pushing to sign him! It’s looking very good,” tweeted Plettenberg.