Arsenal have now decided to replace Granit Xhaka with £62,000-a-week man

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Arsenal have now decided to replace Granit Xhaka with Declan Rice as confidence grows over a deal to sign the England international.

What’s the story?

Well – according to The Times – Arsenal have made the West Ham captain their No.1 target this summer as Mikel Arteta eyes two new central midfielders.

While that was covered on HITC Football earlier today, the finer details of Arsenal’s interest in Rice were not.

Interestingly, The Times mention that West Ham’s £62,000-a-week man has been earmarked to take Xhaka’s role in the starting XI by those at the Emirates Stadium.

The Switzerland international – who has enjoyed a resurgence under Arteta following a difficult time with Unai Emery at the helm – finds himself out of contract in June 2024.

Arsenal are currently deciding whether to offer Xhaka an extension on his current £110,000-a-week contract.

However, with Rice being earmarked to take his role in the starting XI, it could be argued that Arteta is already installing plans to replace his No.34 – at least in terms of him being a regular starter.

Arsenal should offer Xhaka a contract even if Rice joins

In our view, the 30-year-old offers invaluable leadership qualities to Arsenal, and if would be foolish of Arteta not to offer him a new contract, especially as the Gunners are a very young side lacking experience.

Whether Xhaka would want to sign a new contract in the knowledge that he will just be a squad player remains to be seen, although that doesn’t mean Arsenal shouldn’t at least try to keep him.

Whatever happens, it is the correct decision to replace the Swiss maestro in the starting XI, as there is definitely room for improvement in that area.

Kevin Campbell has already admitted that he feels Xhaka’s feet “aren’t quick enough” to make a difference in attack for Arsenal, while speaking on the Highbury Squad YouTube channel.

The 53-year-old said: “We’ve seen Xhaka play better with Partey for a lot longer, we get that. At the end of the day though, Xhaka, as an attacking force, hasn’t been the same.

“He’s getting caught on the ball and his feet aren’t quick enough most of the time, As we mentioned about Vieira, he’s making the difference at the top end of the pitch, Xhaka is more ponderous than Vieira.”

There isn’t much Arteta needs to improve at Arsenal right now, although Xhaka’s left-sided central midfield role is certainly an area which could be upgraded on.