Mikel Arteta could be planning with life without Youri Tielemans this summer after making Granit Xhaka part of his new-look leadership group at Arsenal.
Despite enjoying an impressive run of form after extending his stay at the Emirates Stadium last summer, Xhaka's future at the club has still come into question, with Jose Mourinho's AS Roma showing an interest in recent months. Speaking to ESPN during pre-season, the Swiss midfielder admitted that he could have joined the Serie A side if it wasn't for the persuasion of Arteta and technical director Edu.
"It was something, yes. Very close," he said about the possibility of leaving. "Mikel was the guy with Edu, they didn't let me go because they wanted to keep me here. Of course, my first reaction was to stay at the football club, but they opened the door: 'If something comes, I can leave.' I have to be honest as well. I don't want to say a name now, but the door was open for me to leave the club as well. But in the end, people decided to keep me here."
READ MORE: The £3m Arsenal transfer that opens the door for Mikel Arteta to complete dream midfield signing
However, fast forward to today and the 29-year-old finds himself supporting Martin Odegaard alongside new arrival Gabriel Jesus in a deputy leadership role. That's according to The Athletic, who claim that the duo will form part of the club's leadership group and accept the responsibility of wearing the armband in the Norwegian’s absence.
Meanwhile, there have also been suggestions that any move for Tielemans may only be made if Arsenal can make room in their squad by moving on someone like Xhaka, but taking Arteta's decision to hand him the new role, it seems highly unlikely that he will be going anywhere anytime soon.
The Gunners have been monitoring the Belgian closely after he entered the final year of his contract and talks with his representatives have even taken place on numerous occasions. Although there was an expectation that Arsenal would firm up their interest in the opening weeks of the window, the addition of Fabio Vieira along with the lack of departures at the time led to minimal progress being made.
Arsenal are now prepared to wait until the 25-year-old's current deal expires in order to secure him on a free transfer next year, with the club feeling as though Leicester's demand of £32million is too high for a player with just one year remaining on his contract, football.london understands. The Gunners could change their stance if Leicester lower the asking price or another club comes in for the player, but as things stand, there's no immediate rush to get a deal over the line.
READ NEXT:
Gabriel Jesus' seven-word message to Youri Tielemans 'revealed' amid talk of Arsenal transfer
Mikel Arteta names Arsenal's three-man leadership team following Martin Odegaard captaincy
What Mikel Arteta did after Arsenal controversy to avoid Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte problem
Powerful William Saliba moment proves Mikel Arteta has now fulfilled crucial Arsenal objective
Pino or Tielemans sign, trio sold - Arsenal transfers to finalise Mikel Arteta's ideal squad
