Arsenal: The 5 senior players who want summer transfer exit

Granit Xhaka

This is a tough one. Many supporters will be overjoyed to see the back of Granit Xhaka at Arsenal. Even more so if the previous six months were removed from the history books.

But Arsenal have a serious issue on their hands in terms of leadership, and contracts. Looking around the squad, take out all of the above, as well as Alexandre Lacazette, and you’re left rudderless. Who is going to speak up in the dressing room when the going gets tough? Who will others listen to for advice or guidance on the training ground?

The extensive amount of work at hand is no more evident than in midfield. If the current loanees are sold or don’t return then there is only Xhaka, Partey and Elneny left. The latter is also up for sale.

Take Xhaka out and there is Partey. Just Partey. What about when AFCON comes around?

With only 11 players under contract beyond the 2022/23 season and four of them being central defenders, Arsenal need contracts handed out to the right people. Xhaka has to be offered a new one simply down to the multitude of issues not needing to have a(nother) central midfielder added to them.

Ignoring form and quality, simply from a stability point of view, Xhaka’s leadership and job title of ‘midfielder’ make him someone who needs to stay.

However, if he does want out, then hands are tied. Arsenal fans already know what Xhaka can be like, so throw in the Swiss being at a club he has no interest in and those ties must be cut. This is no time for passengers of any kind.

Can Arsenal upgrade on Xhaka? Of course they can. Not immediately in terms of role within the squad and understanding of the demands, but certainly in quality.

It’s shows the state of Arsenal where all five players mentioned were actively kept by the current regime in the past 12 months: Willian signed, Luiz re-signed, Leno chosen, Xhaka begged to stay, Bellerin encouraged to stay. Bids rejected everywhere.