Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he has convinced midfielder Granit Xhaka to stay at the Emirates. The Swiss international was said to be keen on leaving London this month, but speaking yesterday, Arteta revealed he had a heart to heart with the 27-year-old:
“I tried to convince him that way. He thought about it, he had a very positive response afterwards, and I think he changed his mind.”
Some fans on Twitter are not particularly pleased that Xhaka will be remaining at the club following Arteta’s comments:
Omg this xhaka guy has more lifes then a cat
— Danny Dubz (@DDubz9) January 10, 2020
In layman's term = we broke
— Echo (@Echogecko1991) January 10, 2020
Big mistake
— vxvxvx (@escabano) January 10, 2020
He’ll regret it !??♂️
— Michel Grosset ???? (@kangemic) January 10, 2020
We don't need him as he adds nothing to the team and he is not good infu for aresnal
— Liamking (@Liamkin72291963) January 10, 2020
Others are hoping it will be a brand new start for the Swiss international who has been subjected to fierce criticism on social media over the years:
So glad he's staying.
— Cheryl Ruskin (@cheryl_ruskin) January 11, 2020
Feels like new signing
— Mung (@Mungin1995) January 10, 2020
Since arteta came in he’s attitude and performance on the pitch are different work rate gone up
— Daniel Bolton (@BoltonF1) January 10, 2020
he's been great under Arteta, get behind him
— Gustav (@gustavaegren) January 10, 2020
Only time will tell whether this is a watershed moment for Xhaka. The midfielder’s agent had confirmed that he all but agreed terms to move to Hertha Berlin but Arteta’s arrival has changed his thinking on his future.
The Spaniard has already shown a lot of trust in the Swiss midfielder and he will now want to repay the faith of his manager.
