Breaking news:Granit Xhaka and Folarin Balogun are demonstrating that Mikel Arteta’s initial judgments were false.

Arsenal came tantalizingly close to securing their first Premier League title in two decades during the previous season, only to fall short at the final hurdle under the guidance of Mikel Arteta. This remarkable journey rekindled the hopes of Arsenal supporters, who had endured a prolonged period of mediocrity. Arteta’s management injected a renewed sense of optimism into the club, and the football played by the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium was some of the most captivating in years.

Granit Xhaka, who had previously faced criticism, played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s resurgence, restoring his reputation with a series of impressive performances. However, Arteta chose to explore the transfer market, resulting in Xhaka’s departure from the club after the 2022/23 season. This move was part of Arsenal’s summer overhaul, which also saw academy graduate Folarin Balogun leave the team.

In the ongoing season, there is a focus on how both Xhaka and Balogun have fared since their departures from Arsenal.

Granit Xhaka had a rollercoaster career at Arsenal, joining the club in 2016 for a significant fee. He initially made a strong impact, even being named captain. However, a contentious incident in 2019 led to him losing the captaincy. Under Arteta, he made a resurgence and played a crucial role in the title-challenging campaign, but he was allowed to leave in the following summer. Xhaka’s move to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga has been successful, with him becoming a regular starter in a top-performing team.

On the other hand, Folarin Balogun, an Arsenal academy graduate, spent most of his time on loan away from the club. After a successful stint with Middlesbrough, he had a remarkable season in Ligue 1 with Stade Reims, where he scored 22 goals. Despite his impressive performance, Arsenal decided to sell him to Monaco for a substantial fee, potentially regretting the decision as he continues to develop his potential.

These departures have marked a shift in Arsenal’s strategy, with Arteta opting for new additions and younger talents, leaving the fans and pundits to ponder the long-term implications of these moves.