There was a time not so long ago when Granit Xhaka’s Arsenal looked as good as over. The Swiss midfielder had become a figure of fury for his won fans at the Emirates Stadium with one particular incident signifying a breaking point - every Arsenal fans remembers Xhaka walking off to boos as he gestured his own frustration back at the stands in 2019.

A lot has changed since then. This season saw Arsenal mount an unexpected title challenge with Mikel Arteta’s team falling just short. Xhaka was at the heart of that challenge, forging a strong understanding with Thomas Partey in the centre of the pitch. The 30-year-old has been a key figure for the Gunners.

This summer, though, could mark the end of Xhaka’s Arsenal career if recent reports are to be believed. Bayer Leverkusen are believed to be interested in signing the midfielder and the Gunners could potentially take the opportunity to further evolve their central unit by allowing Xhaka to depart.

It would be somewhat ironic that just at the time Xhaka has finally achieved acclaim and recognition for his importance to Arsenal, he could be sold. But the North London club are right to be open to the idea of allowing him leave. They can’t stand still if they are to catch Manchester City at the top of the Premier PINC League table next season.

The best teams are always looking for ways to improve. City constantly do this and that has permitted them to stay competitive even as legends such as Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva have moved on. Arsenal don’t want to get themselves into a situation a few years from now where they need to rebuild from the ground up.

Speculation around Xhaka makes more sense when it is linked to the speculation around Declan Rice, who Arsenal are expected to move for this summer. The England international is reportedly keen to leave West Ham and is attracting attention from a number of Premier League clubs, including the Gunners.

As well as Xhaka has played this season, Rice would be an upgrade on the Swiss midfielder and would underline Arsenal’s desire to continue to improve. Rice is the sort of signing that could feasibly close the gap between the Gunners and Manchester City, and so if Xhaka needs to depart to make the transfer happen, he should.

If Xhaka leaves this summer, he should be remembered as someone who embodied the post-Arsene Wenger era at the Emirates Stadium, but ultimately came to epitomise the best qualities of the Arteta rebuild. It might just be the case that he needs to move on for the Gunners to reach the next stage of that rebuild.