Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has asked his former side to sell Granit Xhaka this summer.
The Swiss midfielder remains a divisive figure at the Emirates despite spending six years at the Premier League club. He will enter his seventh season in north London this coming season after joining from Borussia Monchengladbach for around £34million in 2016.
Xhaka captained Arsenal at some point in his career, but fell out with supporters two seasons ago. He was thought to be on his way out last summer, but eventually stuck around and contributed tellingly as Arsenal narrowly missed out on a top-four finish on the last day of the season.
Despite being one of the first names on the team sheets last season and one of Mikel Arteta’s best players, Campbell has advised Arsenal to end their reliance on the midfielder.
“I think we will see a parting of the ways soon,” Campbell told Football Insider. “Look, Xhaka had a very good season last season. But at the end of the day, Arsenal didn’t get it done.
“The midfield needs to be revamped. There needs to be more speed and goals injected into that midfield.
“The reliance on Granit Xhaka that Arsenal had has to go. There has to be enough midfielders there who can do a job.
“This is probably the last time we could get money for Xhaka realistically. He is an international player, a good player but the time has come. If an opportunity comes along I think they should move him on and get younger legs in there.”
The Gunners are linked with Leicester City playmaker Youri Tielemans and are on the verge of announcing the signing of Fabio Vieira from Porto. On top of the signing of Vieira and a potential deal for Tielemans, Arteta’s side are also working on the signing of Leeds winger Raphinha.
