Arsenal favourite Granit Xhaka looks set to call time on his journey with the Gunners in the coming weeks as the midfielder prepares to leave the club in the summer transfer window. The Switzerland international has a dwindling contract and after an impressive season, has garnered attention from other clubs.
Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen are widely reported as the side that will land the 30-year-old, who all but confirmed his exit on social media. There was an appreciative atmosphere to the Emirates Stadium on what could be his last game last weekend, where he scored a brace against Wolves.
"Well deserved. He’s[Xhaka] had an incredible season," Mikel Arteta said in review of the match. "I think one year back I spoke to him and I told him ‘there’s a question mark on you, you have to deliver more, you have to be better, I’m going to challenge you to play here.’
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"He went back and I think he started to train the next day. He came back in preseason four kilos less, fit, with this face *screws his face to show focus* and really willing to do it. He’s been exceptional. He’s been a key part of the team, the success of the team and I’m so happy everybody is appreciating what he’s done."
After a campaign where he won back the heart of the fans, Xhaka may leave a proud player, but at Arsenal there will be an emphasis on finding a successor. It could be an expensive summer transfer window ahead, but Arteta may be able to save some money if he's frugal.
One of the options to replace Xhaka could be Emile Smith Rowe, who has struggled to earn minutes this season after a mixture of injuries and competition in the squad ahead of him. football.london understands that the Hale End youngster has been training to play as a central midfielder, which could lead to him naturally playing in that role now left vacant.
While that's an internal solution, one of the external options could come in the form of Marco Asensio, who is set to leave Real Madrid at the expiration of his contract. The Spaniard has been previously linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium and seeing as he's available on a free transfer, it could be a cheap move that saves millions.
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