Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Plan to lure ‘remarkable’ Arsenal star away from the Emirates revealed; player will ‘do everything’ to make it happen

Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Martinelli duirng uropa League - Group F - Eintracht Frankfurt v Arsenal - Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt

Granit Xhaka’s brother, Taulant, has vowed to ‘do everything’ he can to get the Arsenal midfielder to play with him at Basel before the end of his career.

The Switzerland international has been key to the Gunners’ excellent form this season, with them currently two points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Xhaka has greatly improved his attacking contributions this term, scoring three league goals and making five assists so far.

His brother has been closely watching his performances and is desperate for the Arsenal midfielder to join him at Swiss giants Basel before he retires, where Granit began his career.

“We often talk about it,” Taulant told Blick.

“He is tied to Arsenal until 2024, maybe he will extend for another year. But then it would be possible, but he would have to come in 2026 at the latest.

“He also wants to play for the FCB again, together with me. Even if it’s only for ten minutes: I’ll do everything for that.”

This comes just two days after TEAMtalk reported that Xhaka, along with William Saliba and Aaron Ramsdale, is edging closer to penning a contract extension at the Emirates. 

With that in mind, if he too wants to play with his brother, he may only extend his stay in London by another season.

READ MORE: Newcastle tipped to land major coup this summer as frustrated Arsenal star plots Emirates escape

Vastly improved Xhaka huge for Arsenal

Mikel Arteta, though, will be looking to keep his midfielder for as long as possible, after Xhaka has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence this season.

Several pundits have praised his switch to a more attacking role, while he still possesses the aggressiveness and awareness to play as a solid holding midfielder when required.

For instance, former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has praised how consistent he has become this season.

He said: “He’s [Granit Xhaka] definitely changed my mindset, I’ve got to say that. I’ve got to give credit where it’s due.

“Granit Xhaka, 9 months ago wasn’t the same player that he is now. He was improving but he still had fouls in him, still wasn’t consistent.

“But I’ve got to say, this season, the manager’s [Mikel Arteta] challenged him and he’s come back and been a revelation.

“Obviously, he’s playing a little further forward, which helps. But he’s been nothing short of remarkable with what he’s doing.”

Indeed, Xhaka has arguably been one of Arsenal’s most important players this season, after making 32 appearances across all competitions under Arteta.

The Gunners picked up another valuable three points in the title race on Saturday, beating Leicester City 1-0 at the King Power Stadium as their excellent away form continued.

It will be interesting to see if Xhaka’s brother’s hopes of playing with him will affect his contract negotiations.

For now, however, the midfielder has a massive role to play as Arsenal push for their first Premier League title since 2004.

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