Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has spoken of his hope that Granit Xhaka will remain at the club next month.
The Swiss international has been heavily linked to a move to Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin following a turbulent few months in North London.
In October he was stripped of the captaincy by Unai Emery after reacting to fans booing him as he left the pitch to be substituted in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.
After the match the midfielder revealed that he had been subjected to abuse on social media from some supporters prior to the game.
The messages had even made mention to his family and wished for Xhaka to suffer serious illnesses.
Emery was later dismissed as manager to be replaced by Freddie Ljungberg on an interim basis before Arteta was appointed head coach earlier this month.
Amid all this upheaval, the ex-Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder became the subject of speculation over a move in the January transfer window with Newcastle United tipped as one destination within the Premier League.
However, Hertha Berlin have stepped up efforts to sign Xhaka with his agent claiming the player has already told Arsenal of his intent to leave for the German capital.
In his post-match press conference after the Gunners lost to Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates, Arteta praised the midfielder and spoke of his desire to see him stay at the club.
"He played well at Bournemouth and after he started to feel ill and the last two days he’s been in bed," he said. "I hope he doesn't leave."
Xhaka was missing from the match day squad after he was not named in the starting line up or among the substitutes due to falling ill after the Bournemouth game.
