Arsenal transfer news: Granit Xhaka fears 'enormously important' Alexis Sanchez will leave for Bayern Munich

The Swiss midfielder picked out two teammates for praise after enduring a tough first season at the Emirates

Xhaka said Alexis is one of the best he has ever played with (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Granit Xhaka hopes Arsenal teammate Alexis Sanchez will stay at the Emirates this summer but fears his quality means the best sides in Europe are doing everything they can to sign him.

The Chilean forward has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich after stalling on a new contract and Xhaka says his departure would be a blow.

"I hope [he doesn’t leave], of course," Xhaka told Bild this week.

“He has qualities on the pitch which are incomprehensible.

"He has made many goals, and is also enormously important outside the box."

Were Sanchez to leave, Xhaka, who signed for Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach, believes he could easily fit in at the Allianz Arena.

"Alexis could play with every world class team – just like Mesut Ozil."

"I have been able to play with many great players, but these two stick out.”

On his own form, Xhaka said he was pleased with his first season in the Premier League, despite the criticism he has received from some.

“I had the second most games in the squad, I couldn’t expect more personally," he said.

"Unfortunately, we have missed our goal of coming in the top four, although we have made four points more than last season when Arsenal finished second.

"But I think we can be satisfied with the last third of the season, and winning the FA Cup has given us and our fans a bit more.”