Arsenal ruthlessly put one of their best players up for sale after agonising Arteta decision

Arsenal have decided to consider offers for Granit Xhaka this summer despite him being one of their best players this season, according to a report.

Xhaka has divided opinion throughout his Arsenal career, but this season has arguably been his best. The midfielder has started 31 of their 33 Premier League matches so far. In all competitions, he has made 42 appearances, scoring seven goals and adding five assists.

Despite Xhaka’s good form, an update from the Daily Mail has revealed that Arsenal will ‘listen to offers’ for him this summer.

It has become a priority for Arsenal to strengthen their midfield for the long term in the next transfer window. Xhaka is 30 years old and his usual midfield partner Thomas Partey will reach the same age before next season starts.

Jorginho is also the wrong side of 30, only ever appearing to be a short-term measure after joining from Chelsea in January.

Therefore, Arsenal are targeting a new midfielder ahead of next season. But they will need to raise funds in order to pursue their ideal targets.

A respected source recently suggested they will only be able to sign one of either West Ham’s Declan Rice or Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, while Chelsea’s Mason Mount also remains of interest.

Only under contract for another year unless Arsenal activate an option to extend his stay into 2025, Xhaka might have to make way.

As things stand, it is not yet clear who might be interested in offering him the next step. Xhaka has been with Arsenal since 2016 and has made 292 appearances for them after his arrival from Borussia Monchengladbach.

For a brief time, he even became club captain, although he was removed from the role in infamous circumstances. Xhaka has revived his career under Mikel Arteta, though, culminating in a Premier League title challenge this season.

READ MORE: Arteta plots to axe forgotten Arsenal man who has ‘little chance’ of playing for the Gunners again

Nevertheless, the Daily Mail claims Arteta is aiming to raise funds. The manager – who has only ever given more appearances to Bukayo Saka than the Switzerland international – will therefore weigh up selling Xhaka at what might be his last opportunity to do so for a decent fee.

Also at risk of being sold by Arsenal, per the report, are Kieran Tierney and Folarin Balogun. Tierney has lost his regular starting role at left-back to Oleksandr Zinchenko, while Balogun is impressing out on loan with Reims.

Saturday’s Transfer Gossip column relayed that the latter has become a target for Paris Saint-Germain, for example. While his stock is high, he could generate a decent windfall.

Time not ideal for Arsenal to lose Xhaka

As for Xhaka, there would be pros and cons to an Arsenal exit. Given his age and contract status, listening to offers for him might be an ordinary decision.

However, Arsenal are preparing for a return to Champions League football next season. Xhaka has experience in the competition, unlike some of their younger talents, so his seniority might be useful.

Arsenal will need to retain good depth to compete on four fronts in 2023-24. Even if Xhaka is replaced as a regular starter, he might be a good option to retain as a backup.

Yet he will have to take a few factors into account from his own perspective. With that in mind, his future will remain uncertain for the time being.