The Arsenal manager opens up on his conversation with Granit Xhaka, who is now set to stay at the Emirates.
"I think he’s going to stay", Mikel Arteta said at London Colney today. "I really like him. If we get him on board he can be a tremendous player for the football club."
"I had a conversation with him and I wanted to understand his feelings. That's first, and his reasoning why he was thinking it probably wasn't the right place for him to continue his career."
Arteta admits Arsenal need a "quality" player like Xhaka.
"I gave him my opinion, my perspective, and I told him that I was ready to support him from the club perspective, and I wanted his team-mates to have his back to help him to change his mind. We need him.
"I believe that if we're able to do that, the fans will respond in a positive way. I've seen him act every day, how he trains and how he lives his profession, as well as the quality of the player."
The Arsenal boss has informed both the player and the club he doesn't want Xhaka to leave.
"I think he could be a really important player for the club. From my perspective, I don't want him to leave. I said no to the club and I said no to him! After, in life, I cannot control what happens."
The Swiss midfielder has been linked with a move away in January with Hertha Berlin reportedly had agreed terms with the former Arsenal captain.
