Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was "so happy" to see Granit Xhaka enjoy a marvellous reception during the Gunners' final-day win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League but still refused to confirm reports claiming that the midfielder is set to leave the club this summer.
One week on from seeing their title dreams crash and burn against Nottingham Forest, Arsenal ended a memorable campaign in style by putting five past Wolves without reply.
Amid speculation over a £13m summer move to Bayer Leverkusen, Xhaka opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes, directing a low header into the back of the net from Gabriel Jesus's cross.
The 30-year-old doubled his tally for the afternoon from eight yards out just four minutes later - bagging his first-ever Arsenal brace in the process - and was serenaded by the Arsenal faithful, who also gave him a standing ovation when he was taken off in the second half.
Following a man-of-the-match display in what is expected to be his last-ever appearance for the club, Arteta labelled Xhaka's contributions "exceptional" in the wake of his vindication, having seemingly made his position untenable during his 2019 outburst towards the fans against Crystal Palace.
© Reuters
"Well deserved. He's had an incredible season. I think one year back I spoke to him and I told him 'there's a question mark on you, you have to deliver more, you have to be better, I'm going to challenge you to play here.'," Arteta said in his post-game press conference, as quoted by football.london.
"He went back and I think he started to train the next day. He came back in preseason four kilos less, fit, with this face *screws his face to show focus* and really willing to do it. He's been exceptional. He's been a key part of the team, the success of the team and I'm so happy everybody is appreciating what he's done."
After various outlets reported the news of his proposed move to Leverkusen, Xhaka hinted at an Emirates adieu on social media prior to Sunday's game, listing his collection of trophies with the caption "thank you" on an Instagram story.
However, when told that Xhaka had played his final game for Arsenal, Arteta would not confirm such rumours, simply responding: "You know that?"
When further pressed on the former Borussia Monchengladbach man's Instagram post all but confirming his departure, the Spaniard remained coy and replied: "It's news for me."
© Reuters
Following Xhaka's early brace, Arsenal added a third before the break through Bukayo Saka, before Jesus and Jakub Kiwior also got in on the act in a five-star Arsenal performance.
The Gunners' 84 points represents their best Premier League tally since the title-winning Invincibles in 2003-04, and Arteta was particularly delighted to reconnect with the "soul" of the club.
"It was one of my big dreams to connect again with the soul of this football club – that's our people. We have done that and there's no discussion about it," Arteta added.
"That makes me really proud and grateful to be part of that journey together. We want to deliver together success, and the destination has to be trophies and success for this club. But we have to enjoy the journey together and especially the company.
"I said it especially there because we have special people in this club, an incredible group of players and an amazing support. That has to be enjoyed because at the end it's about winning or not winning the margin, but you cannot underestimate those other things. I think if we don't do it then we will regret it."
Despite coming up short in the title race, Arsenal have set a new club record for Premier League goals in a single season with 88, surpassing their previous best tally of 87 from the 2004-05 campaign.
Ben Knapton
