Xhaka on Arsenal captaincy, Arteta and CL ambition

When Mikel Arteta took over at Arsenal he promised a revolution. Given Granit Xhaka's history at the club, not many would have predicted it would be the Switzerland international at the forefront of it.

Xhaka has been a key member of Arsenal's squad since his arrival from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016, but he has proved a divisive figure amongst the fans, some of whom have been critical of his performances and his disciplinary record in north London.

The low point of the relationship came in October 2019 against Crystal Palace when Xhaka - captain at the time - appeared to swear at the Emirates crowd when he was booed off after being substituted midway through the game.

The 29-year-old lost the captaincy after the incident and he has admitted he was on the brink of leaving Arsenal, but Arteta convinced him to stay, and it's a decision that has paid off with Xhaka enjoying something of a renaissance as the Gunners push to qualify for next season's Champions League.

The midfielder has brought influence and authority to Arsenal this season and has even talked about another shot at captaining the club one day, despite rejecting the armband when it was given to him by substitute Eddie Nketiah late in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Brentford back in February.

"I will never say never," he told Sky Sports when asked about the Arsenal captaincy. "I was not ready for that again.

"A captain of Arsenal can be without an armband and I am trying to lead the game and the players without the armband, but if tomorrow someone from the football club comes and asks if I want to take it I will be here because I know I am ready again to do it."

If it were to happen it would be one of the great sporting comeback stories.

Sitting talking to Xhaka