The upcoming summer transfer window will undoubtedly prove vital to Arsenal's domestic future with major arrivals and exits expected. The first of those is on the verge of occurring as Granit Xhaka is in advanced talks to join Bayer Leverkusen in a £13million summer deal, a surprising turn of events given his impact in the Gunners' superb 2022/23 season.
An advanced 8 role has seen the Switzerland international contribute significantly in attacking sense this campaign with seven goals and seven assists from 46 games. However, an Emirates Stadium departure looks to be sanctioned in the next few weeks with Mikel Arteta hinting he is more than aware of the situation.
"The clarity is there," Arteta said when asked about Xhaka's current status at Arsenal. "He is a player that has played I think every minute since I have been the manager. He is an incredibly respected figure at the club.
READ MORE: Why Arsenal have huge advantage over Chelsea to complete 'perfect' £50m Jules Kounde transfer
"He has a great story around him with what he has achieved at the club in going through very tough moments and he is a key and very important part of us. Whatever happens is something we will discuss, certainly not now."
Xhaka leaving the club after seven years can certainly be considered as a major first-team departure and the club must ensure no more deals like that occur. Allowing several core members of the squad to leave the summer after a Premier League title charge would make no sense.
On that topic, the news of Bukayo Saka's contract extension is huge for Arsenal but equally, on the same day, talk of Thomas Partey leaving the club emerged, and if a sale is agreed it would be extremely damaging. Partey is a target for two clubs in Serie A, according to the Mirror, and with major midfield additions expected, Partey may feel as though his game time could be harmed.
Even if more than one midfielder arrives this summer, there should be no scenario where Partey leaves. If the Ghana international follows Xhaka out of north London that will be two key midfielders who formed 66.6 percent of Arteta's first-choice midfield gone in the blink of an eye.
Bringing Declan Rice to the club is the priority for the summer, football.london understands. While the likelihood of another midfielder joining Rice in signing ahead of the next campaign looks to be increasing with each passing day until the summer window eventually opens on June 14.
Financially, acquiring two top quality midfielders will be difficult. Of course, the windfall received from hypothetically selling Xhaka and Partey would help accumulate funds, but the Gunners would be back in the same exact position they are in now where depth is desperately needed if the duo are sold.
Losing too many major stars in one window also risks the flow of the squad being disrupted and while Partey, at 29, likely doesn't have a long-term future at the club, selling him now would be a mistake. Arsenal must carefully navigate this situation where older members of the squad are slowly phased out as newer and younger signings arrive.
Partey's performances have deteriorated this season, there is no doubt about that. But allowing him to leave, if Xhaka's departure is confirmed, could prove to be a grave mistake.
READ NEXT:
Jules Kounde to Arsenal transfer: Xavi exit admission, Barcelona stance, Chelsea interest
Former Arsenal captain tells Edu to complete four transfers before trying to sign Declan Rice
Declan Rice transfer latest: Arsenal advantage, Tuchel twist, £92m offer, Chelsea 'out of race'
Confirmed Arsenal senior players under contract for next season after Bukayo Saka announcement
Arsenal news and transfer LIVE: All the latest updates from the Emirates Stadium
