Arsenal: 3 players who deserve coal for Christmas

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (L) hugs Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as he leaves the field during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 22, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur embraces Granit Xhaka of Arsenal following the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur. (Photo by Glyn Kirk – Pool/Getty Images) /

2. Granit Xhaka

What has Granit Xhaka done wrong, then? This may seem like a bit of a head scratcher, admittedly, especially since last season was arguably his best since joining the club, and this Premier League campaign he’s performed well and worked his backside off to return from injury sooner than expected to aid with the current midfield shortage.

But as much as we can appreciate what he brings to the team, fans are also ready for the next phase. Life after Xhaka.

And we thought we had it over the summer.

Deep in discussions with Roma over a surprise transfer, the deal ultimately fell through with the Italian side offering a pitiful amount of money to sign him and Arsenal being unwilling to budge.

Xhaka made us believe, though. He spoke publicly about his desire to link up with Jose Mourinho and did a darn fine job of convincing everyone that it was inevitable. That’s not all his fault, as he would have been put in a position where he felt it was, but we’re being nasty here as we firmly believed a new chapter was coming.

Arsenal gave him a new deal instead.

Continued on next page…

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