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

The former Arsenal midfielder has performed well at both Bayer Leverkusen and Real Sociedad since leaving north London.

For many Gunners supporters, Xhaka represents a type of player: if you had to name one player who left during Arteta's tenure but could have won a Premier League medal with Arsenal, he would likely be the answer. The Swiss international was a key player under Arteta and played a vital role in helping the team mount a title challenge. He proved his caliber when Leverkusen went "invincible" in the Bundesliga, and at 33, he remains in excellent form. Many fans still hold him in high regard, so seeing him move to Chelsea, as Aubameyang and Fabregas did, would certainly be difficult to accept.

But this is far from reason enough for Arsenal fans to be concerned—quite the opposite, in fact. Chelsea has fallen so far behind Arsenal that most Gunners supporters no longer consider the Blues genuine title contenders. Despite massive investment, Chelsea has made a series of poor decisions, widening the gap with their north London neighbors. Last season, Chelsea finished 10th without European football, 33 points behind Arsenal.

In 2025, the points gap between the two teams stands at just 5 points, down from 26 points in 2024 and 40 points in 2023. While Chelsea ranked higher during Arsenal's rebuilding period from 2022 onwards, they have scarcely closed the gap since then.

Arsenal has consistently been more strategic and stable in squad construction, while Chelsea has relentlessly pursued young talent with limited success, leaving them with a squad full of potential but lacking leadership and experience. These are precisely the qualities where Xhaka excels.

If this transfer truly materializes, it would not only strengthen Chelsea's squad—which I genuinely hope doesn't happen—but, more importantly, it signals that the tide may be turning, and Alonso's arrival has already begun to shift the direction. That is what truly warrants attention, rather than the sentiment stirred by a former player joining a London rival.

Traduzido por IA.

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