REGRETS? Mikel Arteta has had very few during his tenure at Arsenal – especially when it comes to player transfers.
Bad eggs had their contracts torn up. Think Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil.
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Aging stars were allowed to leave for free. Think of Willian, David Luiz, Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac.
Money was also made to pave the way for the future. Think Emiliano Martinez, Bernd Leno, Folarin Balogun and Emile Smith Rowe.
And yet perhaps there is one goodbye that is still on Arteta’s mind on the eve of an intriguing meeting in north London this week – Granit Xhaka.
Ahead of Bayer Leverkusen’s Emirates Cup clash with the Gunners tomorrow, the Swiss international will play at his old stomping grounds for the first time since last summer’s £21.4m move to Germany.
Xhaka – who signed for Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach in May 2016 for £30m – returns with the Bundesliga title to his name, having played a prominent role in an unbeaten domestic campaign under manager Xabi Alonso.
In contrast, Arteta’s Arsenal fell short of the Premier League title chase for the second consecutive term behind Manchester City – the most recent without Xhaka in their ranks.
Would Xhaka’s leadership and experience have made a difference?
It’s difficult to say, but it’s a debate that has gained momentum following his impressive performances for the Swiss at the Euros, which had the German media calling for a Ballon d’Or nomination.
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There is no doubt that Arteta has lost one of his most important dressing room generals, who demanded excellence, acted as a perfect intermediary from the bench to the field and whose own rebirth in an Arsenal shirt epitomizes the Spanish coach’s impact. in the club.
Arteta and Arsenal were undecided over Xhaka’s future at the end of the 2022/23 season – a player who has developed into an integral cog in a more advanced midfield role.
They didn’t want him to leave, but they weren’t willing to hand a long-term deal to a 30-year-old as they planned a window that included capturing 24-year-old Declan Rice for £105m.
With 12 months remaining on the contract, with the club’s option for an extension, Arsenal and Xhaka decided to part ways after a conversation with sporting director Edu.
The midfielder recently said: “I was a little sad, but also quite happy because I didn’t like that uncertainty.
“The length of Leverkusen’s contract [five years] gives me security. I’m not someone who likes to play poker… I like peace and order.”
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Xhaka will probably receive a great reception at the Emirates, much like the one he received on his 297th and final appearance for the club, scoring twice in a 5–0 victory over Wolves in May 2023, before receiving a standing ovation.
Four years earlier, those same fans booed him at 61st minute of a home draw with Crystal Palace in October 2019.
Upon leaving the pitch, Xhaka told them to “fuck off” and stormed into the tunnel, an incident that led to him being stripped of the captaincy by then coach Unai Emery.
Two months later, Emery was fired and Arteta joined, and convincing Xhaka to stay was one of the first tasks the former midfielder set himself.
Xhaka explained: “When I met [Mikel] for the first time, my bags were already packed and I was about to board a plane. With heart and soul, he had already left the club.
“The club showed me little respect even though I was the captain. It was clear that they wanted to get rid of me as quickly as possible, as well as one person: Mikel Arteta.”
Ignoring the advice of his friends and family, Xhaka stayed.
Arteta would then bring about a career renaissance that no one expected, especially the Arsenal faithful.
Xhaka added: “Sometimes Arsenal fans can take a while to be persuaded to change their minds. But in the end, I won them over.”
Arteta also owes a lot to Xhaka, a player he could count on in difficult times and who stood out and improved his game in good times.
It could be argued that Arsenal’s midfield is better with Xhaka gone. Rice and captain Martin Odegaard form a formidable duo, with Jorginho and Thomas Partey adding the extras.
But Arteta had a bond with Xhaka that was difficult to replace. How he would love to be able to count on his services, even if the player himself did not accept a role on the bench.
Of all the players he has fired, Arteta has rarely made an emotional farewell statement, but for Xhaka he did, saying: “We are saying goodbye to a fantastic player and a person loved by us all.
“It was an incredible journey for him and he gave absolutely everything.
“We cannot thank Granit enough for his service and contribution to this club over the years.”
Xhaka returned to the Emirates as a fan last December to witness Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham, signing autographs in his car upon arrival.
However, this time he will be welcomed home from the shadows, even after a recent cheeky comment in which he claimed that leaving Arsenal was a “step forward” in his career.
He is still an avid watcher of Arsenal games and keeps in touch with assistant manager Carlos Cuesta and former teammates Partey, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus.
Also expect a warm hug from Arteta tomorrow – the man who would no doubt wish Xhaka’s Arsenal story didn’t end so soon.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
