Kevin Campbell hints Arsenal need to replace Granit Xhaka next season

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Former Arsenal striker, Kevin Campbell, has hinted that the club need to replace Granit Xhaka for next season if they’re going to progress.

Xhaka has been a regular under Mikel Arteta this season. The Swiss midfielder, who earns a reported £100k-a-week with the club, has made 31 appearances across all competitions so far.

But Campbell, who was speaking on The Highbury Squad podcast, believes Mikel Arteta will already know he needs to look at replacing Xkaha as a regular starter for the Gunners.

“If we are going to challenge (for the title) is Granit Xhaka in the team?” No, he’s not. He’s part of the squad,” Campbell said.

“Do you reckon Arteta doesn’t know that? Arteta knows that there are games were Granit Xhaka can actually play because he’s going to have to rotate the squad. But you know and I know that Granit Xhaka is not going to be consistent to get you to a title. He’s been at the club for five years and we haven’t qualified for the Champions League once. That tells us everything.”

Campbell’s words probably come across a tad harsh on Xhaka. He has turned things around since the days of throwing a strop in front of his home fans a couple of seasons ago.

However, with Mikel Arteta overseeing the club rebuild, it would be no surprise whatsoever to see Xhaka replaced in some quarter.

TBR View: Xhaka has been decent for Arsenal but Campbell has a point

And there lies the issue. Xhaka has simply done ‘ok’ since being an Arsenal player. He’s never set the world alight, never delivered consistently, and seems to divide the fans.

If the Gunners do want consistent success, then Campbell is right. Xhaka can play a part, but in the starting XI week in week out, it’s hard to question Campbell’s logic really.