Speaking at his press conference, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta reiterated his desire for Granit Xhaka to remain at the club.
The 27-year-old has been the subject of a transfer away from the Emirates with Hertha BSC hoping to land Xhaka on a loan deal with a view to a permanent transfer.
Arteta told press he had a conversation with the Switzerland international to get his thoughts before stating he wants Xhaka to remain at the club.
“I had a conversation with him and I wanted to understand his feelings. That’s first, and his reason why he was thinking this wasn’t probably the right place for him to continue his career. I gave him my opinion, my perspective, and I told him I was ready to support him from the club perspective,” said Arteta.
“I wanted his team-mates to get his back and help him to change his mind because we need him. I believe that if we were able to do that, the fans would respond in a positive way. Because I have seen him act every day, how he trains, how he lives and the quality of the player. I think he could be a really important player for the club.
“From my perspective, I don’t want him to leave. I said to the club ‘no’ and I said to him ‘no’. After, in life, I cannot control what can happen.”
