Mikel Arteta has made it clear that he will make decisions that are "best for the club" this summer as Granit Xhaka edges closer to an Arsenal exit.
Xhaka, 30, has been at the Emirates for seven years, but Mirror Football revealed at the start of the month that the midfielder was being courted once again by Bayer Leverkusen. And with Xhaka seemingly leaning towards a return to Germany, Sunday's two-goal haul against Wolves could be the Swiss international's parting gift to Gunners fans.
The midfield maestro bagged the first two goals in Arsenal's emphatic 5-0 win at the weekend before he was withdrawn in the 75th minute to a standing ovation.
The Emirates faithful pleaded with Xhaka to stay both during and after the match - but it appears as though the former Arsenal captain will be moving on in the coming weeks.
Xhaka himself teased fans after the match that they would know more in the next week or so when he was quizzed about his future, while Arteta was also coy when he was asked about a transfer before the Wolves game.
After the final whistle, though, Arteta delved further into the speculation over Xhaka and admitted that he would have to make some tough decisions this summer amid reports that a number of players could leave Arsenal to give the Spaniard scope to remould his playing squad.
Arteta said of Xhaka to Match of the Day: “He did what he needed to do and he has done it the whole season. He has been magnificent for us. I had the opportunity to say thank you. He is a player who had a special story and he has been integral.
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“It is part of my job to make the decisions that are best for the club. His story is really nice.”
Arsenal are planning to revamp their midfield in the summer and are favourites to sign West Ham captain Declan Rice. The Gunners could also revive their interest in Brighton's Moises Caicedo after failing to prise the Ecuadorian away in January.
Where that would leave Xhaka is unclear - and the man himself heavily implied that Sunday's match would be his final appearance for the club amid links with a move away. Speaking before the Wolves game, he said: “How the fans have treated me, I didn’t expect that - but I am thankful for them. I want to give them something back for, maybe, my last game on Sunday.
“I wanted to do something special this season, maybe with a title, but it’s not the time. Let’s see what the future holds.”
