‘He will get another contract’: Martin Keown backs £100k-a-week Arsenal ace for potential new deal after Gabriel

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Arsenal legend Martin Keown has praised Granit Xhaka following his winner against PSV Eindhoven on Thursday night.

The 30-year-old is in the form of his life for the Gunners, helping them to the top of the Premier League table and Europa League Group A.

Arsenal’s latest game saw them beat PSV 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium, putting them in the knockouts with two games to spare.

Xhaka got the winner in the 70th minute for Mikel Arteta’s side at the Emirates Stadium.

Substitute Martin Odegaard played a key role, playing the ball to the overlapping Takehiro Tomiyasu.

The defender found the unmarked Xhaka 15 yards out, who struck first time to beat the impressive Walter Benitez.

And Keown, speaking on BT Sport, feels the £30million man is “really important” to Arsenal right now.

Indeed, the Highbury icon reckons the Gunners could award Xhaka a new contract if they win silverware this term.

“With the role he has, it has given him a lot of licence to move forwards,” he said, as transcribed by BBC Sport.

“The quality of the finish was outstanding, the technique was really good and he is going to enjoy that for sometime.

“It was his right foot, his swinger, never scored with Arsenal with his right foot.

“We know he has had a difficult time at the club but that’s in the past and he’s doing well, but he is really important in the side for Arsenal’s success.

“If they are successful and win a trophy, he will get another contract.”

A fan favourite again

Xhaka’s time at the Emirates has seen him go from hero to zero and back again – a real redemption arc.

The £100,000-a-week ace was captain, then fell out with the fans, lost the armband and was on the verge of leaving.

Xhaka stuck around, but he continued to split the fanbase – until this season.

Now, he has become an undroppable figure in the heart of the Arsenal midfield.

With Gabriel Magalhaes penning a new long-term deal and the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli reportedly also in talks, could Xhaka go on to extend his Emirates tenure?