Arsenal handing Granit Xhaka new contract in 2021 was a masterstroke

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Should you type ‘Granit Xhaka‘ and ‘Arsenal contract’ into social media, you will find a large number of posts from 2021 which involve supporters expressing their disbelief at the Gunners handing the midfielder an extension.

Xhaka’s fresh terms came as a shock. For much of the summer, he had been linked with a move away. As noted by The Athletic, Roma wanted the Swiss.

And of course, it still appeared that Xhaka’s relationship with Arsenal fans was damaged beyond repair.

Nevertheless, Arsenal decided to hand Xhaka a one-year extension until 2024. Those terms also included an option for a further campaign.

At the time, it appeared that Arsenal may be protecting his value. The Guardian suggested that that was the thinking behind the new deal after the move to Roma came to nothing.

Handing Granit Xhaka a new contract was another masterstroke from Arsenal

But perhaps, that decision was one masterstroke for which Edu and Mikel Arteta deserve a lot more credit.

One of the biggest problems Arsenal have had in recent years is shifting unwanted players on hefty contracts. They had to negotiate deals for both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Willian to leave the club. Hector Bellerin was another who left on a free this past summer.

So they would have known the risk when it came to Xhaka. You could hardly blame any Arsenal fan who expected the decision to hand him a new contract to come back and haunt them in years to come.

However, Xhaka’s turnaround has been absolutely extraordinary. He has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this season. And his form has helped Arsenal to the top of the table. Stan Collymore told the Sunday People this weekend that his turnaround has been ‘brilliant’.

He may not be the captain any longer. But he is clearly leading the side in many ways. And his performances have never been better in an Arsenal shirt.

Obviously, there is a long way to go this season. And in previous years, it has sometimes been just when you think you can trust Xhaka where he has tripped up and let himself down.

But Xhaka looks a completely different player to the one who has been written off so many times.

Arsenal fans seemed to have every reason to bemoan his new deal last year.

But once again, Edu and Arteta have proved that they know exactly what they are doing.