Arsenal: 3 reasons Granit Xhaka should be sold

Granit Xhaka leaving Arsenal has been an eventuality that countless supporters have been yearning for well before the current summer transfer window. Now it’s edging closer to a reality with Roma and Bundesliga clubs keen, some doubts have crept in.

When the Switzerland international kindly requested that the Emirates Stadium crowd ‘f**k off’ in the Premier League in October 2019, those backing Xhaka slowly began edging away from their previous assessment. There were still plenty who felt his reaction was warranted given the abuse from live fans and the social media cretins who crossed the line so far they couldn’t even see it, but in any case it wasn’t a good look.

Mikel Arteta convinced the midfielder to stay upon taking the reins and the result has been the best season he’s had to date in red and white in 2020/21.

Still far from perfect, he demonstrated his importance to the team with his absence constituting a considerable drop off in stability and control in performances. Even the attributes that have been the basis of the criticism he’s faced since his £35m move have been less prevalent.

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Arsenal: 3 reasons Granit Xhaka should be sold in the summer transfer window

Xhaka still remains slow covering ground, this much can never be improved on. What he has done is calmed his temper since the Burnley defeat at home, improved his economy of touches and resisted the temptation to find Row Z as frequently. He’s been a solid performer.

Yet with the summer window approaching its opening date, Roma are pushing hard to bring the 28-year-old to Serie A with Jose Mourinho keen to make him his first signing as manager.

The amount of work that needs doing this window is unprecedented, with all areas of the pitch being looked at for reinforcements, just as all the same areas are set for departures.

Central midfield was already a priority and the sale of Xhaka opens up and entirely different conversation given his specialised skillset and leadership role within the group. Replacing him rises to the top of the to-do list.

Should Arsenal sanction his sale? He is under contract and the task(s) at hand become larger if allowed to leave. However, now is the time. Here are three reasons for Arsenal selling Xhaka.

1. The Rebuild

Where do the boundaries of a rebuild stretch to? Yes, the meaning of the word is clear, but are there certain parameters in which some individuals don’t fall into?

There are. Xhaka is not one of them.

Who and what Arsenal are has been muddled. The identity of the club lost, the eye test of the team on the pitch failing and in need of refocusing.

It’s becoming clearer to see what Arteta is doing, what Arteta has and what Arteta wants. What he is doing is crafting a side around the glorious young core at his disposal. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe, backed by Kieran Tierney, Gabriel and William Saliba, added to by Thomas Partey and, in more recent weeks it appears, Nicolas Pepe.

What he has is the future of the club. Partey and Gabriel he bought, the rest he inherited. It doesn’t require a tactical genius to envisage where the club should be focusing their attentions but it does require a level of managerial acumen to take the next step. What he has is his pizza base in need of toppings. The right accompaniments. Crap analogy.

Xhaka is a non-indispensable member of this squad. While not someone readily replaced, where Arsenal are trying to go is on a path that is no longer for him. Arsenal have to change the entire outlook of this squad and take the leap of faith. You don’t rebuild by keeping the same foundations in place that have contributed to the decline that’s forced these actions.

The midfielder is not the reason Arsenal haven’t secured top four since he arrived but he is part of the reason Arsenal are where they are. As part of a failed process, forging a new path means laying new stone. This is the right step.