Arsenal have still not announced that Granit Xhaka has signed a new deal, despite being half out the door to Roma all summer, even though the player and owner have confirmed it.

That Granit Xhaka was still at Arsenal by the summer of 2021 was quite remarkable in itself, given the problems he had with the fanbase, never mind a football, something he reminded us all about on Saturday as he flew into a needless challenge and got himself sent off.

Over the summer, it looked like Xhaka’s time had finally come to an end when Roma tried to buy him and he agreed a deal with the Italians. But their reluctance to pay a decent fee for him meant Arsenal refused to sell.

Now, they have moved to protect their investment.

Stan Kroenke confirmed Xhaka’s contract extension in his programme notes ahead of the game against Chelsea last week, while it was reported in the press weeks before that it had been signed.

Xhaka then posted about it on social media which Arsenal shared, adding ‘congratulations’, but, as for an official announcement on Arsenal.com like we usually get? Nothing.

It’s telling that there has been no fanfare over his new deal, and, if the club were hoping an ideal moment might present itself in the near future, that horse bolted at the Eithad this weekend.

Granit Xhaka's life at Arsenal

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Granit Xhaka Arsenal stats before 21/22

• Games: 220
• Starts: 206
• Subbed on: 14
• Subbed off: 33
• Minutes: 18,243 (average 83 mins per game)
• Goals: 13
• Assists: 20
• Yellow cards: 58 (1 every 3.79 games)
• Direct red cards: 3
• Two-yellow red cards: 0
• Most touches in the Premier League 2017/18 (3,491)
• Most passes into the final third in the Premier League 2017/18 (374)
• Second for progressive passes in the Premier League 2017/18 (311)
• Second most yellow cards in the Premier League 2017/18 (10)
• Second most successful dribble percentage in the Premier League 2019/20 (84.4%)

Granit Xhaka 21/22

• Games: 4
• Starts: 3
• Subbed on: 1
• Subbed off: 1
• Minutes: 282 (average mins 70.5 per game)
• Goals: 0
• Assists: 0
• Yellow cards: 0
• Direct red cards: 1
• Two-yellow red cards: 0