Some Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to give their reaction to manager Mikel Arteta’s comments about Granit Xhaka following the match against Chelsea.
What’s the story?
Xhaka played for Arsenal in a pre-season friendly match against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The 28-year-old Switzerland international came on as a substitute for fellow midfielder Thomas Partey when he got injured.
What Mikel Arteta said
Arsenal manager Arteta spoke highly of Xhaka after the match and made it clear that he will stay at the Emirates Stadium this season.
Arteta told Arsenal’s official website: “Granit is going to stay with us. He’s a player that we rate and value so much, he’s a key member of our squad.
“He’s trained two days. He wanted to play today and I think it’s very clear commitment from his side that he wants to be here.”
Arsenal U-turn
Arsenal’s decision to keep Xhaka is a dramatic U-turn.
The Switzerland international midfielder was strongly linked with a move to AS Roma for several weeks this summer.
You can read all about it here on HITC Sport.
The Guardian reported last week that Xhaka was keen on leaving Arsenal this summer.
Inter Milan want(ed) to sign the Swiss midfielder and made a bid, but it was not enough for Arsenal.
The Gunners will now reportedly offer the former Basel player a new contract.
What are Arsenal fans saying?
As you can see from the tweets below, Arsenal fans are not happy at the Gunners’ U-turn.
Well, some of them anyway.
Given that Xhaka reportedly wanted to leave and the Gunners themselves were willing to sell him, it does appear a bit strange and awkward that the midfielder will now stay at the club.
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