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Football London
Football London
Sport
Chris Wheatley

Mikel Arteta set for midfield boost as senior international returns to Arsenal training ground

Granit Xhaka is returning to London after completing his self-isolation in Switzerland, football.london understands.

Xhaka, who is currently serving a three-match suspension following his sending off for Arsenal against Manchester City, tested positive for COVID-19 while on international duty.

He will now return to London after isolating in his native Basel, before joining up with his Arsenal teammates for training later this week.

The 28-year-old had been at the centre of discussion in his homeland after taking the personal decision to opt against taking up the vaccine.

Swiss FA president Dominique Blanc confirmed Xhaka had been offered a coronavirus vaccine but had decided against having one, with Roma manager Mourinho urging the Arsenal star to change his mind.

Commenting on Xhaka's Instagram Mourinho said: "Get the jab Granit and be safe."

Xhaka responded to the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs boss, saying: "Thank you mister."

"We are trying to explain all the reasons why we believe it’s the right thing to do," said Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta in his Norwich pre-match press conference last Thursday.

"How much it will protect first of all the club, second of all the teammates and the environment they’re around. The exposure around if they don’t do it.

"At the end it’s a really personal thing. Obviously they will be limited in certain aspects if they don’t because we don’t want to expose ourselves in certain things.

"In the end it’s a personal matter, not an obligation and we have to respect that."

Arsenal travel to Burnley on Saturday before facing AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup the following week and Tottenham a few days later.

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