Arsenal: 3 questions after Granit Xhaka transfer stance

3. Is Anything Going to Change Next Season?

Xhaka is far from the biggest issue at Arsenal. He is someone who looked destined to be moved on from, opening the door for a new approach and dynamic, but he is now staying put.

Is anything going to change?

With the exception of Ben White and Xhaka, it appears as if the team that started against Chelsea will be the one to kick things off against Brentford. A midfield pivot of Elneny and Xhaka on the opening day of the Premier League season looms large.

There have to be alterations throughout the team – right-back is concerning and the striker situation unconvincing – but with near enough the exact same team that finished eighth two seasons in a row with the addition of a central defender, what will change?

More poor chance creation, lapses in concentration and sloppiness playing out from the back? Xhaka staying is, of course, not solely responsible for all of this in any way but his departure would have been the primary piece of business this summer to forge something ‘new’.

Ahead of the season, fifth is the absolute most realistic target even if that will be hugely challenging. The current top four are miles in front of Arsenal.

Given that, bolstering the numbers with key backup signings and, it would seem, placing real faith in Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey to explode this term with fifth in sight is the goal. Then, if disaster strikes with other teams, Arsenal’s limited amount of games may give them an edge.

There is still a month to go and plenty will happen during that time, but the fear grows.