Granit Xhaka

[Salibatelli]

Is this guy leaving or what, how long do we have to wait for this to go through, it’s literally peanuts being paid!

[DiamondGooner]

............ has he not gone yet??

Come on Roma, save us.

[thebigbangtheo]

Whilst thoughts of acquiring the likes of a Maddison (ideal), Odegaard (feasible) or Isco (intrigue governed by the chaos theory) to be the lynch pin of our creative attacking play in the final third are somewhat exciting and positive, I still don't find myself being dismissive of Xhaka's ability to play the role also.

As I have stated once or twice before during the Swiss's tenure, he is deployed in a completely different role for his national team than he ever has been for us. That he possesses the ability to tread a perfectly weighted pass through the eye of a needle or disguise one enough to make the scarlet pimpernel jealous, should not be in any doubt.

On more than one occasion during Euro 2020, the commentator was in raptures regards some of his passing, especially diagonal balls over the top or putting someone in from around the side of the defence.

Regardless of this however, I am not advocating that we don't continue to acquire fresh new players for the squad and dispense with those accustomed to underachievement and their failure to perform at the required level.

Moreover, I'm inclined to think that if Roma can't afford to stump up the cash we want for him pronto so we can conduct our own transfer dealings, we simply tell them to go fish elsewhere and we just keep him as back-up to be deployed further forward without the same defensive responsibility safe in the knowledge that any issues of losing the ball are in proximity to the opposition goal rather than ours, plus effective defensive cover in midfield would now be behind him to compensate.

[swipe right]

Xhaka influences our style of play like no other player has since maybe Cesc. And in Xhaka’s case not in a good way. Our decline of free flowing attacking football began with his arrival and getting the metronome position. Until he’s gone we are stranded. We should not even be bargaining with Rome. He is a terrible influence on our attack.

[Nuggets]

Has he gone yet?

[Highbury Hillbilly]

Official this week or next. Roma's preseason has already started and Mourinho wants him there ASAP.

[DiamondGooner]

Official this week or next. Roma's preseason has already started and Mourinho wants him there ASAP.

When / If he leaves .......... the last time I was this happy someone left our club was Giroud.

This could unlock our midfield and I'm praying it stops dragging our attack down to a slow halt.

Party is quick release and if Lokonga is as well or Maddison / Neves whoever, then we can attack properly for a change.

[jayramfootball]

Official this week or next. Roma's preseason has already started and Mourinho wants him there ASAP.

When / If he leaves .......... the last time I was this happy someone left our club was Giroud.

This could unlock our midfield and I'm praying it stops dragging our attack down to a slow halt.

Party is quick release and if Lokonga is as well or Maddison / Neves whoever, then we can attack properly for a change.

Agree - the slowness of Xhaka and too many negative passes is /was a major problem.
I am hoping the information we are being fed on Sambi is true - that he can beat a player and spring attacks.
We've missed that for a long time.
Just beating one player in midfield opens up a lot of space.

[theHotHead]

Just seen some posts on the AS Roma fan page stating we (AS Roma) really need him.

I'm like "f**k no" !!! I cannot believe my luck, first we get f***ing Maureen who I cannot stand and now this potential Xhaka transfer, do me a lemon.

If Arsenal sign Tammy Abraham that will be a sure sign I am being punished heavily for my transgressions ........

[Ach]

Just seen some posts on the AS Roma fan page stating we (AS Roma) really need him.

I'm like "f**k no" !!! I cannot believe my luck, first we get f***ing Maureen who I cannot stand and now this potential Xhaka transfer, do me a lemon.

If Arsenal sign Tammy Abraham that will be a sure sign I am being punished heavily for my transgressions ........

LGBT support you

[Angelito]

Just seen some posts on the AS Roma fan page stating we (AS Roma) really need him.

I'm like "f**k no" !!! I cannot believe my luck, first we get f***ing Maureen who I cannot stand and now this potential Xhaka transfer, do me a lemon.

If Arsenal sign Tammy Abraham that will be a sure sign I am being punished heavily for my transgressions ........

To be fair to Xhaka, he'd do well in a tactical league like Serie A under Mourinho. At Arsenal, we're used to technical stalwarts and quick-passers; Arteta's 8-men-behind-the-ball notwithstanding.

Just look at Wilshere. He had as much technique to star at peak Barca. It's a shame that injuries and stupidity didn't allow him to excel. Wilshere and Diaby will forever remain what ifs.

The fact that we're struggling to get £15m flat for him is such an indictment on Edu and Arteta's non-negotiable skills.

If Xhaka were a Chelsea player, they'd have comfortably sold him for £25m.

[themessiah]

Diaby was not made for football. As for Wilshere was always overrated wasn’t changing games like this saka ,he had that great him against Barcelona that he lived off. And no mate, don’t just put it down to injuries. Wilshere had it on himself too, caught smoking cigarettes, caught getting drunk all the time, part of it is his own fault and in his final years id rather of had coquelein in midfield. As for Xhaka good riddance! Willian, torreria, Bellerin and Elneny next.

[Losmeister]

gtf off my team already!!

[Nuggets]

FFS he is taking his time packing

[Salibatelli]

Cheap deal and still we manage to drag this out, the guy wants to leave what’s the hold up?

It’s almost like we don’t want to get rid of him (which would make sense as Arteta seems to love playing him).