Mikel Arteta confirms Granit Xhaka will stay at Arsenal this summer and labels the midfielder a ‘KEY member’ of his squad despite Jose Mourinho ‘looking to sign him for Roma’
- Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta described Granit Xhaka as ‘key member of the squad’
- Xhaka was reportedly close to joining Serie A side Roma earlier this summer
- Thomas Partey sustained an ankle injury during a friendly defeat to Chelsea
- Arsenal will play their final pre-season friendly against Tottenham on August 8
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed midfielder Granit Xhaka will not be leaving the club this summer.
The 28-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium and was reportedly close to joining Roma, now managed by Jose Mourinho, just a few weeks ago.
Xhaka headed Arsenal’s equalising goal during the Gunners’ 2-1 home defeat to Chelsea in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Granit Xhaka will stay at the Emirates this summer according to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
Arteta (right) described Xhaka as a key member of his squad after the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea
After the game, Arteta told talkSPORT: ‘Granit is going to stay with us. He is a key member of our squad.’
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey sustained an ankle injury in the first half against Chelsea following a collision with Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
After the match, Arteta told reporters: ‘I just had a talk with the doctor. He’ll have a scan tomorrow. At the moment, it’s not looking good.’
Arsenal play one final friendly against north London rivals Tottenham on August 8 before their Premier League campaign gets under way against newly-promoted Brentford at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Thomas Partey (right) picked up an ankle injury after a collision with Ruben Loftus-cheek (left)
