Arsenal: Granit Xhaka contract tells of Lucas Torreira role

Granit Xhaka has signed a new long-term deal with Arsenal football club. The news tells of the role that Lucas Torreira might play, should he join this summer.

While official confirmation of external signings may be slow in coming, Arsenal are making moves internally. The latest announcement came on Friday afternoon as Granit Xhaka, who, oddly enough, is currently with Switzerland at the World Cup.

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The midfielder has agreed to a long-term extension — frustratingly, the Gunners rarely give details about the precise length of the contracts that they offer — which is thought to be a three or four-year deal. It is reasonable to assume that Xhaka will no be under contract at the Emirates for the next five years.

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The news comes as a little bit of a shock, but it obviously provides a peek into the thinking of Unai Emery, who is beginning to make plans for the season ahead, categorising players, understanding which individuals will be a part of his plans and in what manner.

And he is inevitably positive about Xhaka in his statement in the announcement, keen to highlight his young age, 25:

"“I’m delighted that Granit has extended his contract with us. He’s an important member of the squad and is still young so will be able to develop even more. I hope he has a successful World Cup with Switzerland and comes back fit and ready for the new season.”"

The decision to offer Xhaka a new contract tells of the potential role that Lucas Torreira will undertake if he does arrive in north London as is widely expected this summer. The Uruguayan is predominantly a scrappy, holding midfielder, a seeming replacement for Xhaka. But this would suggest otherwise.

One thing to note is that Xhaka drastically improved in the closing months of last season when he was protected by the dual-energy of Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, with Arsene Wenger shifting to a more traditional 4-3-3 shape. Perhaps Emery is thinking the same, but with Torreira coming into the equation, most likely for Wilshere.

Certainly, the Sampdoria midfielder has the technical quality to play in a role more advanced than as the anchoring midfielder and he provides a boundless energy, attitude and terrific stamina to be able to shield the less athletic, sometimes ponderous Xhaka. I had believed, and perhaps hoped, that Torreira was viewed as a Xhaka replacement. That could still be the case. Strength in depth is important.

Next: Arsenal: 3 players impacted by Lucas Torreira signing

But this news hints at something else. It hints at Xhaka being an ‘important member’ of the team and Torreira being his partner, not successor.