Arsenal Fans React with Glee to Apparent Granit Xhaka Signing

The wait appeared to be over for expectant Arsenal fans on Saturday, as photos emerged on social media showing Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka in the club's new home shirt.

Rumours linking Arsenal with a move for the Borussia Monchengladbach captain had been circulating for some time, with recent reports having suggested the parties were close to finalising a deal in the region of £35 million, per MailOnline.

But confirmation wasn't expected quite so soon, with the Daily Mail's Tom Farmery reporting that the player's girlfriend was responsible for the surprise leak:

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Pictures of Granit Xhaka in next season's #Arsenal kit reportedly taken by the player's girlfriend. Understandably, #AFC not very happy.

— tom_farmery (@tom_farmery) May 21, 2016
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But that didn't faze Arsenal fans, who seemed pretty happy with the apparent signing:

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Granit Xhaka is a gooner. pic.twitter.com/esaDNUcHmE

— Mike Sanz (@mikesanz19) May 21, 2016
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It's done. Welcome to #Arsenal Granit Xhaka pic.twitter.com/o4Ih5WUWrc

— ArsenalFanTV (@ArsenalFanTV) May 21, 2016
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"

Welcome Granit Xhaka

— Stefanus Sianipar (@ssianipar_) May 21, 2016
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"

He's harder than stone
He's harder than stoooone
Oh Granit Xhaka
He's harder than stone #afc

— taxi_rock (@taxi_rock) May 21, 2016
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Ayyyyyy @Arsenal completed the Granit Xhaka signing 😎😎. Already way better than Arteta, Rosicky, and Wilshire combined.

— Ross Ballard (@__Ballard) May 21, 2016
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Granit Xhaka is the DM that Arsenal needed for years. Fair play Wenger to splash out the cash on him.

— WickedSHENGMan (@ShengzhiSun01) May 21, 2016
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Neighbor letting off fireworks at this time. Probably seen the news of Granit Xhaka

— Marco Reus (@mehtxb) May 21, 2016
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While the rumoured fee required to capture Xhaka is substantial, his record suggests it's money well spent:

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Granit Xhaka: Of the 162 players to attempt 50+ dribbles in the last 2 Bundesliga seasons, Xhaka has the best success (83.3%)

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 20, 2016
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When you see that Granit Xhaka has been named in the 2015-16 Bundesliga Team of the Season... pic.twitter.com/vFOusi5NAo

— bet365 (@bet365) May 21, 2016
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Granit Xhaka is the feisty midfielder many #afc fans have desired post-Vieira. Complete CM with aggressive edge.

— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) May 21, 2016
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Encouraging stuff for Arsenal fans.

[Twitter]