Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has extended his contract with the Premier League club, reports James McNicholas of The Athletic. The Switzerland international has lengthened his deal until 2025, completing a sensational turnaround following an expected summer exit.
New Roma manager José Mourinho had been expecting his club to sign Xhaka in the current transfer window. However, following a string of superb performances for his country at Euro 2020, the 28-year-old is now back in the Arsenal fold and has committed his future to the north London club.
Granit Xhaka Signs New Contract Extension
How the Midfielder Turned His Gunners Situation Around
Xhaka has endured an often tumultuous relationship with the Arsenal fanbase since signing for the club from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016.
The midfielder used to captain this Gunners side, but was stripped of the honour by former manager Unai Emery following an altercation with Arsenal supporters during a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in October 2019.
Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replaced Xhaka as Arsenal’s captain, and has continued to wear the armband under the management of Emery’s successor, Mikel Arteta.
Xhaka had been expected to depart the Emirates Stadium this summer, but following the European Championships, the midfielder returned to the club and appears to have become the subject of a newfound appreciation from the Arsenal fans.
Rumour of a new contract then surfaced in the build-up to the new season, and Xhaka has now fully dispelled any lingering doubt as to his future by signing this extension.
How Granit Xhaka Can Build On His Arsenal Career To-Date
Now that his future is settled, Xhaka can fully focus on helping his side improve after an abject opening-day defeat in the Premier League. The Gunners were beaten 2-0 by newly-promoted Brentford, with Xhaka involved throughout the 90 minutes.
Xhaka has scored 13 goals in his 221 Arsenal appearances so far, winning the FA Cup in 2017 and again in 2020. Most of the player’s appearances for the club have come in a holding midfield position, and he can look to help new defensive signing Ben White settle in at the Emirates after a disappointing league debut in that defeat by Brentford.
Additionally, key strikers Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are set to return to the first-team picture after suffering from illness. Xhaka will be expected to form the basis of a strong midfield this season that the duo can profit from in order to improve on last season’s goal tally, which was particularly disappointing from Aubameyang.
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