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Granit Xhaka believes Mikel Arteta is ‘more than the right manager’ for Arsenal.
Granit Xhaka claimed that Mikel Arteta is “more than the right manager” for Arsenal and asked supporters not to forget the effort put in by the team over the previous year in the aftermath of their aborted bid for the Premier League title.
A 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday ended the Gunners’ chances of winning the top-flight championship, as Manchester City was crowned champion for the sixth time in six years.
Throughout the season, Arsenal kept the top place for an astonishing 248 days, and in March, they even enjoyed an eight-point advantage over City. They were unsuccessful in the final stretch, nevertheless, due to a late-season meltdown that featured poor outcomes against Liverpool, West Ham, Southampton, and Brighton.
Despite falling short of winning the league title, Xhaka argued that Arsenal’s improvement this year under manager Arteta should be praised and used as the basis for future success.
When asked about Arteta’s ability to lead the team’s pursuit of City in future seasons, the midfielder responded: “You can forget this question. He is more than the right manager for this team.”
While Arsenal’s form in their final eight games is cause for concern with only two wins during that period, Xhaka argued the progress made throughout the season should not be disregarded.
“We don’t need to forget how we worked for the last 11 months,” he added. “If someone told us before the season that we would be here, I think everyone would sign it. Our goal for sure was to be back in the top four. Now we are second. Of course, when you are so close to the title, you want to win the title. But we are there where we are, deserve to be where we are, and let’s see what happens next season. We have to go and do the next step.”
According to reports Xhaka is due to leave Arsenal this summer after he backed away from contract discussions, with his current deal due to expire in 2024. Bayer Leverkusen have held talks over a €15m move.
Asked about his future, he added: “You will know latest next week, for sure.
“Where I have been three years ago and where I am today, I think I grew up like a person, like a player, and I got the respect back, what I think I deserve as well from the fans.
“I think [the fans] deserve that as well and I do myself as well. We have one more week of this Premier League season, the first thing is I want to enjoy [it], and for sure you guys will know next week what happens with my future.”