Arsenal midfielder in talks over new deal having impressed for table toppers

Arsenal will be looking to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League table when they travel to the Midlands to face Leicester City on Saturday. 

Mikel Arteta’s side sat in top spot for more than 100 days before a 3-1 defeat at the hands of reigning champions Manchester City last Wednesday saw The Citizens move above them.

The Gunners returned to first place when they beat Aston Villa 4-2 on Saturday, before City missed out on the chance to return to the summit as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest.

Arteta’s side have been in fine form so far this term, far exceeding the expectations that most supporters had following a disappointing campaign last year that saw the club miss out on a place in this season’s Champions League.

Now, one of Arsenal’s most important players is in talks over a new deal.

As per 90min, midfielder Granit Xhaka has held talks over an extension to his current deal, which is set to expire in the summer of 2024.

The Swiss midfielder, who is Arsenal’s vice-captain, is said to be keen on extending his stay in the capital beyond next summer and the club are now in talks with the player with a view to doing so.

Xhaka has become a key figure for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta

Xhaka, 30, joined The Gunners from Borussia Monchengladbach back in 2016 and has since endured a number of highs and lows at The Emirates.

In 2019, the Switzerland international was stripped of the captaincy at Arsenal after losing his cool with fans as he was substituted off during a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.

The midfielder looked almost certain to leave the club following the ordeal, but Arteta persuaded him to stay put in north London and he has since become a key player for the Spaniard.

This term, Xhaka has started every one of Arsenal’s 23 Premier League matches, scoring three goals and providing five assists to help propel The Gunners to the top of the table.

In total, he has made more than 280 appearances for the club, winning the FA Cup twice and the Community Shield twice.