Arsenal boss Arteta ‘convinces Granit Xhaka to stay until the summer’ to focus on defensive transfer recruitment

ARSENAL will reportedly now focus on defensive reinforcements this month, with boss Mikel Arteta having convinced Granit Xhaka to stay until at least the summer.

The former Gunners skipper had looked certain to leave the Emirates after his public spat with the Arsenal fans earlier this season.

Hertha Berlin had been set to pounce on the situation and lure the Swiss midfielder back to the Bundesliga.

And boss Jurgen Klinsmann had made signing Xhaka a priority - before Arteta stepped in.

Gunners chiefs had been planning to replace Xhaka this month, but now report that following Xhaka's reconciliation, plus the ACL injury sustained by Calum Chambers, their attentions have turned to recruiting a defender.

Jerome Boateng is thought to be one Arsenal target this month, with Bayern seemingly willing to let their stalwart go for as little as £5million.

The German World Cup winner has fallen out of favour following a string of fitness and form issues.

Boateng has only started eight of Bayern's 17 Bundesliga matches this season.

And the Bavarian giants are on the lookout for a right back that would enable them to play summer signing Benjamin Pavard centrally.

Doing so would allow them to drop the unreliable Boateng once and for all.

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Merih Demiral, Nathan Ake and Daniele Rugani have all been linked with a move to North London.

But Arteta's budget is limited, and Boateng represents the cheaper option.

Rob Holding partnered David Luiz at the back against Leeds United on Monday, as the rickety Gunners defence somehow kept a clean sheet and advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup.