Xhaka could join Chelsea, a move directly linked to Xabi Alonso.

The former Arsenal midfielder has performed exceptionally well at Bayer Leverkusen since leaving North London, establishing himself as one of Europe's most consistent performers.

For many Gunners fans, Xhaka is a player they wish had stayed: if forced to name one midfielder who left under Arteta but could have won a Premier League title with them, Xhaka would almost certainly be the answer. The Swiss international was instrumental under Arteta and played a crucial role in transforming Arsenal into title contenders. He also proved his quality in the Bundesliga as part of Leverkusen's remarkable success, and at 33, he remains in excellent form. Many fans retain genuine affection for him, so a move to Chelsea—following in the footsteps of Aubameyang and Fabregas—would understandably disappoint them.

However, this emotional reaction pales in comparison to the broader concerns. Chelsea has fallen so far behind Arsenal that most Gunners fans no longer consider the Blues genuine rivals in the Premier League title race. Despite substantial investment, Chelsea has made a series of poor decisions, and the gap between them and their North London neighbors has only widened. Last season, Chelsea finished 10th without European football, 33 points behind Arsenal.

The trajectory is telling: in 2025, the gap between the two teams stands at just 5 points, a dramatic reversal from 26 points in 2024 and 40 points in 2023. While Chelsea ranked higher during Arsenal's rebuilding phase since 2022, they have rarely genuinely threatened them since.

Arsenal has consistently demonstrated superior strategic planning and squad stability in their recruitment; Chelsea, conversely, has relentlessly pursued young talent with minimal success, resulting in a squad with potential but lacking the leadership and experience required to challenge for titles—precisely the qualities in which Xhaka excels.

If this transfer materializes, it would not only strengthen Chelsea—which Arsenal fans rightly hope to avoid—but more importantly, it would signal that the competitive landscape might be shifting, with Alonso's appointment already beginning to reshape their direction. This strategic concern merits far more attention than the sentiment of seeing a former player join a London rival.

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