Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, has responded to reports linking midfielder Granit Xhaka with a move away from Emirates to Bayer Leverkusen.
Xhaka is keen on a fresh challenge and has been linked with a move to Bayer Leverkusen.
The 30-year-old is said to have agreed on terms with the Bundesliga side to join them this summer.
Xhaka had spent four years earlier in his career in the Bundesliga with Borussia Monchengladbach.
Asked to clarify speculations linking Xhaka to Leverkusen, Arteta said at his pre-match press conference on Friday, ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League tie with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, that the Switzerland international has achieved at the North London club.
“The clarity I think, is he is a player who has played every minute since I have been the manager,” Arteta said.
“He is an incredibly respected figure at the club. He has a great history around him with what he has achieved at the club in going through very tough moments.
“He is a key and very important part of us and whatever happens will be something that we discuss, certainly not now.”