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Arsenal are gaining depth, but what does that mean for Granit Xhaka?
Arsenal fans were overjoyed on Thursday upon the surprise news of their (impending) first major signing of the summer of Fábio Vieira from Porto.
But with some reports suggesting that the Portuguese midfielder’s arrival will not have any impact on the club’s pursuit of Youri Tielemans, what does that mean for Granit Xhaka? The Athletic hinted that the Swiss international may have to be sold for Tielemans to sign.
Xhaka is an unbelievably important player for the Gunners and after he stayed at the club last summer despite being linked with a move to AS Roma, he enjoyed what was arguably his finest season in red and white.
What does the future hold for Granit Xhaka at Arsenal?
I said that Arteta should've gone full 4-3-3 again with Smith Rowe/Odegaard and nobody took me seriously. Scoring this would've changed our season. Gets the best out of Partey as well. pic.twitter.com/SSAArf8vAM
— Hale End Fan Account (@ddoublepivot) June 16, 2022
Xhaka was playing in an unfamiliar role last season, playing higher as an advanced #8 rather than a #6 in a double pivot. This is clearly the direction that Arsenal’s midfield is headed and while Xhaka did an admirable job in this role, it clearly isn’t his best fit.
Now with reports indicating that two midfielders could be brought into the club, it puts the Swiss in a precarious situation with the club. He’s clearly good enough to be starting and his experience and standing at the club is very valuable with such a young team. However, if Xhaka is relegated to fourth or even fifth choice as an #8 then he would likely be looking to move elsewhere to get regular playtime.
Martin Ødegaard, Fabio Vieira, and Tielemans could all be ahead of the veteran in the pecking order with Emile Smith Rowe and Sambi Lokonga also able to fill in as #8s, with many fans seeing the pair being best suited for that position in the team.
It would be invaluable if Arsenal were able to retain Xhaka’s services for another season. But if both Tielemans and Vieira are brought in it might be the right time for him to move on.
Hopefully, the club can still rely on Xhaka next season. But if his time at the N5 is over, I wish him all the best as I feel he’s ended his time on a high if it is the end.