Granit Xhaka has reportedly signed a new four-year deal with Arsenal.

Granit Xhaka celebrates with Emile Smith Rowe after he scores to make it 1-1 during the Pre Season Friendly match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture credit should read: Paul Terry / Sportimage
Granit Xhaka celebrates with Emile Smith Rowe after he scores to make it 1-1 during the Pre Season Friendly match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture credit should read: Paul Terry / Sportimage

Arsenal had reportedly opened talks with Granit Xhaka over a potential new contract to 2025. Now, 48 hours after Mikel Arteta said the midfielder was staying at the club, he has reportedly signed a new four-year deal:

The Evening Standard reported that Arsenal were in talks with Granit Xhaka over a new contract, with his current deal set to expire in 2023. The player retains a good relationship with Mikel Arteta and is a leading figure in the dressing room.

Fabrizio Romano wrote that Granit Xhaka was expected to sign his new deal to 2025, though the final details were still being agreed upon. Romano added that Xhaka would not be joining AS Roma this summer – that deal is now dead.

Over the weekend, Mikel Arteta told the media that Granit Xhaka would be staying with Arsenal this summer, and that he’s a key member of the squad. According to Arteta, the midfielder also requested to feature in the Chelsea friendly, in which he scored a header.

After months of waiting for AS Roma to up their meagre summer bid for Granit Xhaka, the news broke last week that Arsenal were preparing to offer him a new deal instead. Evidently, the club don’t want him running his contract down to the last year.

A deal to 2025 would take Xhaka to 32, which isn’t particularly old for a player in his position with his skillset.

It’s not going to please those who wanted a total midfield refresh this summer, but with Thomas Partey’s continuing injury problems it’s looking like Arsenal will definitely need Xhaka around for the coming season.