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LONDON. — 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.
After the game, Arteta told talkSPORT: “Granit is going to stay with us. He is a key member of our squad.”
In truth, this development has come as somewhat of a surprise, but Xhaka appears to be happy to be continuing his Arsenal journey and celebrated the news with a goal in the pre-season friendly defeat by Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. Following the game, he posted a seven-word message on social media in which he called the Emirates Stadium his “home”.
“It felt really good to be home,” he wrote on Instagram.
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.”
Given the numerous fitness setbacks Partey suffered last season, supporters will be hoping that this latest injury isn’t too serious. — Mailonline.
Online Reporter