Mikel Arteta has told Granit Xhaka that the midfielder’s future lies with Arsenal in spite of reports in Germany connecting him with Hertha Berlin.
The new lead trainer additionally uncovered that Xhaka was a potential focus for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City before the player’s transition to north London.
“When I was going from Arsenal to City to start coaching and we were looking in that position, he was one of the players on my list,” Arteta said.
“This is how much I liked him. I was happy when Arsenal signed him because I thought he was going to be a terrific player.
“He has done some really good things and now he has got stuck in a very difficult situation that, I think, was growing and growing and growing and one day it exploded. But I have been amazed as well by how this relationship is starting to come back a little bit and I think the fans have been very, very positive about him. Obviously it is difficult to change completely the scenario from where he was to a magnificent one. But I think we are in the right direction with him.”
“I told him how much I like him and what I expect from him,” Arteta said. “How important he is for the team. I am here to help him, I want him to feel that we are right behind him. Not just myself but the whole club. If we can get the people in the right way as well, the fans with him, I think it will be helpful for the team, which is where it matters.”
