Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has insisted the club are in a stable position despite facing another season without Champions League football next year.
The Gunners squandered a promising position in the Premier League and finished outside of the top-four, before falling to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of London rivals Chelsea in the Europa League final.
That has a significant impact on Arsenal's budget for the summer transfer window and leaves a big gap to close on those ahead of them, which now includes arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
However, despite falling short of their objectives in Unai Emery's first season in charge, Switzerland international Xhaka is adamant that the club are in a healthy position.
“I am a leader in one of top five teams in the best league in the world," he told Blick.
“We ended the season only two points behind third, we were in the final of the Europa League and were a win away from being in the Champions League.
“I see ourselves a club in a very healthy position and I still have a long term contract here. I am currently feeling very good, both professionally and personally.”
The 26-year-old has been subject to criticism during his spell at Arsenal but is an integral member of Emery's side and is likely to remain in that standing heading into next season.
With Laurent Koscielny in the twilight years of his career, Petr Cech retiring and Aaron Ramsey leaving for Juventus, Xhaka is also a strong candidate for future captain.
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