3 reasons why Arsenal should not sell Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka is currently having the season of his life with five goals and seven assists this season. However, The Mirror and the Independent have reported that he could be subject to a £20m move to Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

The move will no doubt create divisions within the Arsenal fanbase, as Xhaka has always been a Marmite character, but this season’s reinvention has seen him build a closer relationship with the fans than ever before.

Selling him at this point feels like a strange decision from Arsenal and Mikel Arteta given the journey Xhaka has been on, and the way he has adapted to the eight position in the manager’s 4-3-3. Overall, it could be a decision the club will come to regret. Here are three reasons why.

3 reasons why Arsenal should not sell Granit Xhaka

1. Warrior mentality

During his seven years at Arsenal, Xhaka has had plenty of faults, from his disciplinary record to his tendency to make mistakes leading to goals when playing as a six, but his commitment on the pitch could never be called into question.

Throughout those seven years, he has been one of the standout leaders in the dressing room, and a player held in high regard by his coaches and teammates due to his tireless displays on the pitch and dedication in training.

That attitude has rubbed off on a lot of the current crop of players, and even with an increased number of leaders in the squad, Xhaka is still one of the most respected, which is why he was named vice-captain in the summer.

Taking a personality like his out of the Arsenal squad at this time could be dangerous given the increased demands of Champions League football and the pressure that will be on young shoulders next season.

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