Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has cast doubt on a potential Granit Xhaka exit this summer, despite strong links with a move to Bayer Leverkusen. The Switzerland international is widely believed to have played his last game for the Gunners, scoring a brace at the Emirates Stadium against Wolves on Sunday.
The fine performance capped off a stunning turnaround for the midfielder, who has been transformed in his new role as a more advanced, attacking threat on the left. It led to the 30-year-old's best goal involvement return across his whole career, landing just three short of eclipsing his whole Arsenal return in one season.
"Well deserved," Arteta said of the reception Xhaka received at the stadium, with fans chanting about wanting the star to stay for longer. "He’s had an incredible season." However, those calls for another year may not become reality as links continue to swirl over an exit.
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Bayer Leverkusen are in position to land the Arsenal icon this summer, football.london understands, with his contract approaching the final 12-months. Equally, his social media appeared to reflect that of a farewell, posting to his Instagram story with messages wishing him luck on his next journey.
That said, Arteta teased the potential of a stay in his post-match press conference, something that would be a shocking U-turn. When one reporter mentioned it could be Xhaka's last game at the club, the manager responded: "You know that?" And when it was claimed that the midfielder put out a post on social media, he claimed: "It’s news for me."
It remains to be seen whether that will be a case of a U-turn or not, though Arteta is one to usually play coy when it comes to transfer questions until deals are secure. For now though, while it won't be publicly said, Xhaka does appear to be heading towards an exit.
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