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

The former Arsenal player has performed excellently at both Bayer Leverkusen and Real Sociedad since leaving North London.

For many Gunners fans, Xhaka is that player: if you had to pick one departure under Arteta who could have won Premier League titles with the club, it would likely be him. The Swiss international was a key player under Arteta and played an important role in helping the team mount a title challenge. He has also proven his worth at Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, where they became "The Invincibles," and at 33, he remains in peak form. Many fans still hold him in high regard, so witnessing the former Arsenal player move to Chelsea, like Aubameyang and Fàbregas before him, would certainly be difficult to stomach.

However, this is far from the only reason Arsenal fans would be concerned. Chelsea has fallen so far behind Arsenal that most Gunners supporters no longer view The Blues as serious contenders in the Premier League title race. Despite massive investment, Chelsea has made a series of poor decisions, and the gap with their North London neighbors continues to widen. Last season, Chelsea finished 10th with no European football, 33 points behind Arsenal.

By 2025, the gap between the two clubs has narrowed to just 5 points, down from 26 points in 2024 and 40 points in 2023. While Chelsea ranked higher than Arsenal during their rebuild phase since 2022, they have barely actually closed the distance since then.

Arsenal has been more strategic and stable in building their squad; Chelsea, meanwhile, has accumulated talented young players but lacks the leadership and experience that comes from pursuing young stars without clear direction. Xhaka happens to excel in both of these areas.

If this transfer actually happens, it would not only strengthen Chelsea's squad—something I genuinely hope doesn't occur—but more importantly, it would signal that circumstances may be changing, and Alonso's arrival could begin to shift the trajectory. This is what's truly worth noting, rather than just the emotional impact of a former player joining a London rival.

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