How Granit Xhaka's change of heart disrupted other Arsenal transfer plans

Granit Xhaka's change of heart on his Arsenal future was a dramatic one, and it may have impacted the future of his Gunners teammate Matteo Guendouzi.

Swiss international Xhaka, who recently spoke to the The Players' Tribune, had been prepared to leave north London during the 2019-20 season, after a coming-together with fans during a 2-2 Premier League draw with Crystal Palace. The former Borussia Monchengladbach man was on the verge of a return to the Bundesliga, with his agent saying terms had been agreed with Hertha Berlin.

However, after a significant intervention from manager Mikel Arteta, the midfielder changed his mind and opted to stay. A few months later, Hertha attempted to solve their midfield problem by recruiting Guendouzi, and the French international is now on the verge of a permanent exit having not played for the Gunners in close to two years.

Xhaka delivered a statement to Arsenal supporters after the Palace game in October 2019, admitting he let himself get "carried away" after abuse from some fans. "My wish is that we get back to a place of mutual respect, remembering why we fell in love with this game in the first place," he said.

Nevertheless, he was stripped of the captaincy by then-manager Unai Emery and sat out Arsenal's next three league games. In his absence, Guendouzi remained in the starting line-up against Wolves, Leicester and Southampton.

Were it not for Emery's dismissal and Arteta's conversation with Xhaka, the former Lorient man might have held down a spot in the first-team. Ironically, though, he would end up joining the club who had been days away from bringing in his colleague.

"When Mikel was appointed in December, I told him that I wanted to leave," Xhaka said in an exclusive