Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the FA Cup tie against Leeds United on Monday night, Mikel Arteta has revealed how important Granit Xhaka is to his side.

What did he say?

The Switzerland international has been the subject of intense transfer speculation ever since his altercation with sections of the Arsenal fans at the Emirates in the clash against Crystal Palace earlier this season.

Reports in recent weeks have suggested the midfielder is of major interest to Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin, with his agent even going so far as to claiming that personal terms have been agreed. But now, Arteta has poured cold water over that, claiming that he thinks he will now stay and prove his worth to the Gunners.

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He said (as quoted by Sky Sports): “I had a conversation with him and I wanted to understand his feelings. I wanted to know why he thought this may not be the right place for him to continue his career. I gave him my opinion, my perspective and told him that I was ready to support him from the club perspective. I wanted his team-mates to have his back and change his mind, because we need him.

“I believe if we were able to do that then the fans would respond in a positive way. He can be a very important player for the club. I want him. I said to the club ‘no’ and I said to him ‘no’, after I cannot control what will happen.”

Man-management

Make no mistake about it, following the fall-out from the Palace incident, it appeared incredibly difficult to see how Xhaka could remain with the Gunners in the long-term. The midfielder would also not have taken kindly to how Unai Emery publicly admitted after the game that he was in the wrong and that he should apologise for his actions. Not to mention the fact that after leaving his players to decide who the club captain should be, he stripped him of the armband mid-way through a season.

Whilst Arteta has only recently come in as Emery’s permanent successor, he has handled the Xhaka situation with delicate precision. He has trodden a careful line between backing his player and giving him support, and now completely throwing it in the fans’ faces either. His diplomatic and more reassuring style appears to have worked its wonders judging by his statement that he thinks he will stay.

Quickfire Quiz: How much do you know about Arsenal’s history in the January transfer window?

A victory over Manchester United on New Year’s Day was seismic. But this win in getting Xhaka back on side, proves Arteta also appears to have a handle on matters off-the-pitch too.

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans have praised this man after his masterclass against Manchester United.