Report: Arsenal willing to sell £100k-a-week player who Wenger signed; Arteta has concerns

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Arsenal will consider selling long-serving midfielder Granit Xhaka, with Eurosport suggesting that the Switzerland international is not part of the ‘harmonious’ future Mikel Arteta is trying to build at the Emirates.

When the then-Arsenal captain tore of his shirt in disgust and stormed down the tunnel against Crystal Palace in October 2019, turning the North London air blue as he went, few would have predicted that Xhaka would be lifting the FA Cup a few months later.

But the former Borussia Monchengladbach star, a £30 million signing in the summer of 2016, was arguably the biggest beneficiary of Unai Emery’s departure and Mikel Arteta’s subsequent arrival late last year.

In fact, Xhaka played perhaps his finest football in the red and white shirt during Arteta’s first few months back in north London.

He has even started eight of Arsenal’s 11 Premier League games this season.

So Eurosport’s claims that Xhaka, who earns £100,000-a-week (Spotrac), will be sold if a serious offer arrives may come as something of a surprise.

Then again, with Thomas Partey through the door, with Mo Elneny and Joe Willock growing under the former Manchester City coach, Arteta may feel that one of Arsene Wenger’s final signings is not part of his long-term plans.

Eurosport adds that Arteta is trying to build a ‘harmonious’ relationship within the playing staff behind the scenes and Xhaka – a combustible, rather outspoken character – may not fit into that.

“He’s a player whose commitment goes beyond anything normal. He leaves every drop of blood on that football pitch every day and he does the same in training,” Arteta said only six months ago, via JustArsenal.

“For me, he’s a great example to any other team-mate, the way he looks after himself and lives his profession.

“I’m really happy that we could convince him to stay, give him another opportunity, learn from the mistake that he made and as well appreciate the player and the person that we have at the club, and support them.”