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."
