Arsenal have spent the majority of the current Premier League season at the top of the table.
With 17 games played prior to Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, the Gunners have won 14 matches, drawn two and lost one.
One figure in Mikel Arteta’s squad that has played a significant part in this latest campaign is Granit Xhaka.
With 24 appearances under his belt across all competitions, the midfielder has started all 17 of Arsenal’s league games, scoring three goals and delivering four assists along the way.
Now at the age of 30, the Switzerland international is the third-oldest player in Arteta’s squad.
While his consistent appearances this season may suggest that he is still very much a capable and important player for Arsenal, the club could well have found their ideal next version of Xhaka.
Earlier this month, it was claimed by journalist Rudy Galetti that Arsenal have set their sights on signing West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, who has previously had a £150m price tag put on him.
Would Declan Rice be a good signing for Arsenal?
Yes
No
In terms of being the next version of Xhaka, the duo have shown how similar they are throughout this latest campaign.
For example, the pair have a close amount of shots at goal (21 vs 20), key passes (22 vs 26), clearances (25 vs 26), crosses delivered (16 vs 15), aerial duels won (16 vs 17) and even committed the same number of fouls (12).
Lauded as an “extraordinary” talent by journalist Josh Holland, Rice has certainly shown that he has what it takes to do the job that Xhaka has done for Arsenal, making him a suitable and exciting signing for the club to potentially make.
Bearing in mind how it has previously been reported that the England international has repeatedly turned down offers to sign a new deal at West Ham, this could make securing a potential move for him in the next summer transfer window a viable thing for Arsenal to do.