Granit Xhaka has not been included in Arsenal's match day squad for the game against Southampton as Unai Emery decides to wait to recall the Newcastle United target.
The 27-year-old has not played for the Gunners since an angry confrontation with the club's supporters after he was substituted in the 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace at the Emirates on October 27.
Xhaka, who counts Steve Bruce among his admirers, was stripped of the captaincy and ChronicleLive revealed he was set for crunch talks with Emery after returning from international duty this week.
Emery has since revealed the pair had a 'very good conversation' and that Xhaka will have a 'long future' at the club.
However, the Arsenal head coach has decided against recalling the Switzerland international just yet and he was left out of the 18-man squad against Southampton on Saturday.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who succeeded Xhaka as Arsenal captain, was keen to pay tribute to the midfielder in his programme notes and called on the club's fans to support him.
"I understand that sometimes one can make mistakes. It happens to all of us. Granit is one of us. We are all here for him and I know how strong he is," Aubameyang wrote.
"It was tough to see all of this happening but we need to move forward together."
Bruce is on the lookout for a quality midfielder but recognises that January is a difficult window to do business in as clubs are particularly keen to keep hold of their best players because there is so little time to sign a replacement.
Xhaka, who has three-and-a-half years left to run on his lucrative contract at the Emirates, is settled in London with his young family.
