Arsenal: 3 questions after Granit Xhaka transfer stance

2. Are Arsenal Lacking in Leaders?

After confirming Albert Sambi Lokonga’s arrival from Anderlecht in mid-July, Arteta discussed what else would be needed in the market to ensure his side were as prepared as they could be for the coming season.

He said:

"“We need some senior players,” he told the official website. “Players with different types of leadership in the team, with different qualities, people that complement each other. “At the end of the day it is about the cohesion of the team so we need a squad that is cohesive that can develop and adapt, that offers different qualities to change games, protect games when we need to and this is what we are trying to build.”"

Deciphering the training videos, Kieran Tierney seems to have an aura of ‘captain’ about him. The way he conducts himself paints him as a leader. After him though, the ‘leadership group’ is Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Two of those are due to leave and the latter is not your typical vocal leader.

Xhaka is a leader. Someone to galvanise, instruct and marshal.

Coaching the squad without Xhaka in and around the place, Arteta may have seen the atmosphere and felt that without his presence something was missing. A key piece.

The players respect Xhaka and hold him in incredibly high regard. While fans are only privy to what happens on the field, out of the public eye all the noises in and around London Colney are that the midfielder is a brilliant teammate and a reliable figure.

Arsenal will need that next season.