Arsenal hero Charlie Nicholas has urged Mikel Arteta to sell Granit Xhaka and reinvest in the Gunners’ defence. Xhaka was expected to leave the Emirates this month. The Switzerland ace was frozen out after telling fans to ‘f*** off’ after being substituted last year.
However, Arteta persuaded the midfielder to stay, despite reports claiming he’d agreed to return to Germany.
Xhaka is back in the picture at Arsenal, however, he is no longer club captain.
Despite Xhaka’s re-emergence, Gunners hero Nicholas has urged Arteta to sell the midfielder and bolster his back four.
Arsenal have been tipped to sign a new centre-back before the January transfer window shuts, with Bayern Munich’s Jerome Boateng a target for the Gunners.
Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta is ready to spend (Image: GETTY)
Nicholas told Sky Sports: “It is awkward watching Arsenal [against Sheffield United] and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is still out too.
“You miss his goals but his pace and movement too, which makes the opposition have to defend 10 yards deeper.
“It also creates space for Mesut Ozil. I think Gabriel Martinelli is going to be a star and a real goal-getter and eventually he will be a number nine.
“It is needs must at the moment. No centre-backs have been brought in yet, while Bukayo Saka is still at left-back.
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Arsenal transfer news: Granit Xhaka was tipped to leave (Image: GETTY)
“We are still waiting on transfers. Mikel Arteta has to get in the market and help the defence. They are not letting as many in but Arsenal do not have a clinical side yet.
“Chelsea have not won much at home recently, except the Burnley game, but Arsenal will need to play defensively and see where it takes them.
“I need so much more from Nicolas Pepe and a bit more from Alexandre Lacazette.
“Get the two protectors right in front of the back four, and I would still sell Granit Xhaka if the money was right. We could get by without him.
“I think Arsenal will be dangerous away from home, and Nicolas Pepe can deliver in these games, which suit him. He turned up the last time I said this against Manchester United.”
Arsenal are back in action on Tuesday night against Chelsea in the Premier League (8:15pm kick off).
A win for the Gunners could send Arteta’s men up to eighth in the table, ahead of arch rivals Tottenham.
However, Chelsea know they can close the gap on Leicester in third with a win at Stamford Bridge.