Reliable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has shut down talks of a move away from the Emirates for Granit Xhaka, whilst maintaining Tielemans pursuit is unaffected.
The Swiss international has been a core member of Mikel Arteta’s rebuild, a figure the Spaniard has heaped praise upon throughout his tenure with the Gunners, adamant that the 29-year-old is a model professional.
The former Arsenal captain was a fixture in an youthful Gunners side that finished fifth last season, a reality that would have been inconceivable to even the most optimistic fan in the wake of the Crystal Palace nightmare in 2019.
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Despite no longer wearing the armband, Xhaka is a de-facto leader on and off the pitch.
In an inexperienced squad in the midst of a rebuild, Arteta values that greatly, stating:
“How we can interact, how that restoration can start to build what we want to be on and off the field, and Granit in my opinion [is] a key role, and he was going to have a key leadership role to achieve what we [want].”
However, the continuation of Xhaka’s six-year stay at London Colney won’t hinder a move for Youri Tielemans, according to Romano.
The Belgian midfield magician has been a fixture for both club and country in recent seasons, and it is widely reported that the Gunners wish to bolster their midfield with his metronomic qualities.
Initially the 25-year-old had wanted Champions League football as a prerequisite to leave the King Power, however, with a lack of suitors from football’s elite competition, those demands have subsided.
As Arsenal seek to return to that elite table of European football,a bolstered midfield is a necessity, and the former Anderlecht sensation seems to be a piece Arteta believes can solve his midfield puzzle.
Topics: Granit Xhaka, Youri Tielemans
Dan Critchlow