Granit Xhaka is on the verge of extending his contract with Arsenal after a series of back and forth between him and the Premier League club.
The 28-year-old midfielder who is suspected to be interested in a move out of Arsenal earlier this summer does not look like a footballer who wants to play football outside the Emirates Stadium anytime soon.
Granit Xhaka still has two full seasons left on his contract with Arsenal but due to all the things that had happened between him, the club, and the club’s fans over the years, it was looking like the two seasons left on his contract would not end before he would exit the club.
Recall that the Switzerland international was the captain of Arsenal under Unai Emery but before the Spanish coach was sacked in 2019, he ended Granit Xhaka’s reign as the club’s captain.
The major reason that was given for this was that he stormed out of the game between Arsenal and Crystal Palace on 27 October 2019 due to the negative reaction of the club’s fans towards him.
Days after the incident, it was confirmed that Xhaka was no longer the captain of the team. He was replaced by the club’s talisman, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Since then, his future at the club has remained uncertain as his name was always being mentioned among players that could leave the club.
However, the current coach of Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has continued to give him a reason to remain at Arsenal even though he is no longer the captain of the club.
Despite that, since this summer transfer window opened, there have been a strong link between Granit Xhaka and a move to Roma, an Italian club that is being managed by Portuguese coach, Jose Mourinho.
Yet, the speculation did not by any means affect Xhaka negatively as the 28-year-old defensive midfielder resumed pre-season training like a house on fire. The Swiss football star scored Arsenal’s goal in the pre-season friendly which Chelsea won 2-1.
After the friendly, the coach of Arsenal, Mikel Arteta confirmed that the defensive midfielder is staying at Arsenal contrary to speculation.
“Xhaka is staying. He wanted to play. He is a key player for us”, Arteta stressed.
After the friendly game on Sunday, August 1, Granit Xhaka took to Instagram to share a picture showing when his teammates were celebrating with him.
In the caption, the Switzerland international who played four games and provided an assist in the just concluded Euro 2020, wrote: “It felt really good to be home”, with emojis of a house and love.
Meanwhile, Liverpool midfielder, Fabinho has signed a five-year contract extension with the club which will see him play for the club until June 30, 2026.
His initial contract with Liverpool was due to expire on June 2023 but now, the Brazilian midfielder would have to stay at Liverpool a bit longer.
Since he joined the Premier League club from French Ligue 1 side, Monaco, in 2018 for a transfer fee worth £43 million, the 27-year-old midfielder has played 122 times for Liverpool. He helped the club to win the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League title, the Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.
“I’m delighted to have signed a new contract with the club,” Fabinho told Liverpool’s official website. “Since the beginning of the conversation, I was positive about it because it’s what I wanted – staying in this club, keep playing for Liverpool. Now, this is official and I’m really happy.
“These last three seasons I’ve been really happy here. I learned a lot with the manager, with all the staff, with the boys as well.
“We achieved things together and for me, I think it’s the best place to be, the best place to keep growing, to keep learning from the staff, from the boys. Hopefully, we will keep achieving good things.”
