Agbonlahor: 'Arsenal fans must be fed up' after 'very strange' Xhaka development
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed "Arsenal fans must be fed up" after it was reported Granit Xhaka is set to sign a new contract.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England forward admitted it was "very strange" the Gunners have "backtracked" on their stance.
Football.London's Chris Wheatley reported yesterday (3 August) Arsenal are confident Xhaka will sign a new four-year deal.
The Switzerland international was close to joining Jose Mourinho's Roma but the two clubs could not reach an agreement over a fee.
Mikel Arteta revealed, via Wheatley, at the beginning of the month Xhaka will stay at the Emirates.
Asked whether he was the sort of player Arteta should build around, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: "Not for me, no.
"Xhaka's not going to be the man to get Arsenal into the top four.
"Arsenal fans must be very fed up with their club at the moment.
"Yes, Ben White is a good player but he's not going to get you into the top four by himself. They need more players in.
"This just proves that as much as they wanted Xhaka off the books, Roma weren't willing to pay the amount they wanted so they've backtracked and given him a new deal when they didn't want him in the first place.
"Very strange happenings at Arsenal at the moment. For both teams in north London, it's going to be a very long season."
Arsenal will not be competing in European football for the first time in 25 seasons this campaign.
They begin their season with a trip to newly-promoted Brentford on 13 August.