‘It’s a shame’: Granit Xhaka opens up on tricky contract situation at Arsenal

Granit Xhaka is one of the senior players at Arsenal and he’s confident the team is heading in the right direction - even if his contract situation is not.
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Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka sees a big future ahead with Mikel Arteta as the manager, however is disappointed his contract situation is still up in the air.

The Switzerland international has come a long way from when he was hooked by Unai Emery in a game against Crystal Palace and jeered off the pitch by the Arsenal fans.

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The feisty midfielder reacted angrily by throwing his jersey and the armband to the floor.

For most fans that was supposed to be his last game for the club, but he’s turned the tide and continues to lead the team even without the armband.

Arsenal's Granit Xhaka arrives at Selhurst Park before the Premier League match  (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Arsenal's Granit Xhaka arrives at Selhurst Park before the Premier League match  (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Granit Xhaka arrives at Selhurst Park before the Premier League match (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

He admits that things are beginning to pick up at the club and the signs are looking good, even though his contract situation suggests he may not be at the Emirates for long.

Speaking at the start of last season in the Arsenal All or Nothing documentary on Amazon Prime, he said: “We are building something very special here, with the project with Mikel.

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“It’s a shame I only have two years more on my contract. Let’s see what happens after two years, but I am seeing a big, big future for this club.”

One year on, Xhaka has still not signed a new deal, and is entering the last year of his contract.

Granit Xhaka storms of the pitch during the infamous Crystal Palace match in 2019, when he was booed by Arsenal supporters. Credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty ImagesGranit Xhaka storms of the pitch during the infamous Crystal Palace match in 2019, when he was booed by Arsenal supporters. Credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Granit Xhaka storms of the pitch during the infamous Crystal Palace match in 2019, when he was booed by Arsenal supporters. Credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Judging by his comments in the Amazon documentary and his success last season, it sounds like he would like to sign a new deal at the Emirates.

Throughout the first three episodes of All or Nothing, Xhaka’s influence on his teammates and his commitment and dedication is laid bare.

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As captain of Switzerland, he has been through many difficult experiences and it’s because of his mental fortitude that Arteta convinced him to stay at the club.

Xhaka divides Arsenal fans’ opinions, but insists he is not a divisive character: “A better person? I don’t know, as I think I was always a good person, but... different.

“Different because a lot of people ask me, ‘was last season the best, Granit, since you are here?’”

Xhaka hurled his shirt off and threw the captain’s armband on the ground and was booed by Arsenal fans - many thought he would never play for the Gunners again. Credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty ImagesXhaka hurled his shirt off and threw the captain’s armband on the ground and was booed by Arsenal fans - many thought he would never play for the Gunners again. Credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Xhaka hurled his shirt off and threw the captain’s armband on the ground and was booed by Arsenal fans - many thought he would never play for the Gunners again. Credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

And Xhaka broke his silence on the turbulent Crystal Palace match, which almost lost him his place at the club.

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“But I never had problems at this club, not with team-mates, not with people in the building, it was only this moment with the Palace game,” he said.

“Everything else was fine with the club.

“But people only see the moment and they were disappointed and they forgot the other five years.

“But this is part of the business. People don’t see the rest, they see only the moment, and they give you a number whether good or bad.”