Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka has inked a long-term contract extension with Premier League giants Arsenal, the club announced on Friday.
“Grant Xhaka has signed a new long-term contract with the club,” a statement on the club website read.
Xhaka, who is currently in Russia with the Swiss national side as they prepare for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, has been the Gunners’ primary enforcer ever since he arrived from FC Basel in 2016.
An ever-present under previous manager Arsene Wenger, Xhaka made close to a 100 appearances for the North Londoners over the past two seasons.
Wenger’s replacement, Unai Emery, clearly rates him highly as he gushed, “I’m delighted that Granit has extended his contract with us. He’s an important member of the squad and is still young so will be able to develop even more. I hope he has a successful World Cup with Switzerland and comes back fit and ready for the new season.”
Arsenal have made the one signing in the summer transfer window so far, Xhaka’s compatriot Stephan Lichsteiner on a free transfer from Juventus.
After fading in the latter reign of Wenger’s reign, the Gunners are looking at Emery to lead them back to the top of the pile in England once again but it remains to be seen if the former PSG
The 25-year-old defensive midfielder has amassed over 60 caps for the national side and he will be key to their hopes of making the knockout stages at the ongoing World Cup.
Their Group E opener is a tough one, a June 17 tie against South American heavyweight Brazil.
Serbia and Costa Rica are the other two teams in their group. Most experts feel Brazil will canter to the next stage while the likes of Serbia and Switzerland will slug it out for the second qualifying spot.
While most Arsenal fans are happy with news of Xhaka’s extension, they are impatient to see who the club will sign next for the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United have been active in the transfer market.