BURNLEY, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on March 06, 2021 in Burnley, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on March 06, 2021 in Burnley, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Arsenal News

Granit Xhaka wants shock Arsenal exit

by Ross Kennerley
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Granit Xhaka wants to leave Arsenal in the near future and return to the Bundesliga despite a remarkable turnaround following his dismissal against Burnley in mid-December.

The Switzerland captain has been an integral part of the upturn in form witnessed at the Emirates Stadium since Christmas, starting 21 matches in 85 days and completing the 90 minutes in all but two of them.

An indispensable member of the squad in that he performs a role no other player can oversee, his vastly improved form following that fateful night against the Clarets has prompted a rethink in many supporters’ minds.

Widely lambasted at almost every step of the way since his £35m move from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016, no player, perhaps in Arsenal’s history, has divided the fanbase quite like the midfielder.

Granit Xhaka wants shock Arsenal exit in near future as midfielder eyes return to Bundesliga despite importance under Mikel Arteta

Effective in certain facets and wildly lacking in others, the latter points have been brushed to one side since the turn of the year where his leadership and solidity have come to the fore in place of his inadequacies.

Part of a midfield sorely lacking in quality behind the first choice pairing, it’s largely accepted that Granit Xhaka is the best Arsenal can do until an upgrade, wherever from, is acquired.

Thomas Partey has the right side of the double pivot nailed down next to the 28-year-old and it remains to be seen whether Mikel Arteta locates other options for the pairing or makes an earlier shift into a midfield trio with a single pivot, a formation he claimed he was ‘five or six’ players short from adopting.

While players are away with their national squads, speculation tends to ramp up.

Usually there are some juicy comments from certain individuals who’re either unhappy with their lack of minutes or state their admiration for a team who’ve been linked with their signature, although the news on Xhaka comes not from his mouth, but by Sky Germany‘s.

Next: Does Xhaka want to leave?

<blockquote><p>&#8220;If I&#8217;m honest, I always saw myself in this club. I didn&#8217;t come for two or three years, I came here for long-term.</p> <p>&#8220;You never know what happens in football. After what happened with the fans, nobody was thinking I would still be here and speak with you guys.&#8221;</p></blockquote> <p>His comments don&#8217;t strike as someone pining for a move away from Arsenal. Equally, the report only mentions potential interest from Hertha Berlin &#8211; who were previously linked &#8211; a move that would constitute a significant step down the the Swiss, as the capital club are currently battling relegation in the Bundesliga.</p> <p>Xhaka may want to see his career out in the German top-flight, but it would be a surprise to discover that wish wants to be realised any sooner than his contract expiring, which is another interesting point.</p> <p>Come the end of the season Xhaka will have two years left to run on his deal, and at 28 years old one wouldn&#8217;t imagine a new one is on the horizon unless it was a one-year extension. If that were the case his value could be protected and he could remain in north London for another year as Arsenal continue <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/03/31/granit-xhaka-shock-arsenal-exit/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/03/28/arsenal-offer-david-luiz-new-contract/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">their transition</a> and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/03/31/granit-xhaka-shock-arsenal-exit/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/03/30/arsenal-transfer-stance-nabil-fekir/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">squad rebuild</a>.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Xhaka is Arsenal&#039;s best" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/03/29/granit-xhaka-arsenal-best-player-2021/" data-call-to-action="Next" > <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/03/31/granit-xhaka-shock-arsenal-exit/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/03/29/granit-xhaka-arsenal-best-player-2021/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span>&nbsp;Xhaka is Arsenal&#039;s best </a> </div> </div> <p>Arteta will not want Xhaka leaving this summer, and another year seems the most likely outcome.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">