Campbell urges Arsenal to keep Bellerin, Xhaka at the club

Former defender Sol Campbell has urged Arsenal to hold onto Hector Bellerin and Granit Xhaka despite interest from elsewhere.

The Gunners duo have both been linked with moves away from the Emirates Stadium in the summer transfer window after a disappointing campaign under Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal finished the season with a flurry, winning their final five Premier League matches, but they could still only manage an eighth-placed finish and will be without European football next season.

The 956 retained and 143 released Premier League players

Bellerin, who has been at Arsenal since becoming a professional in 2013, has attracted interest from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

While Xhaka, who has been a controversial figure at the club in recent times, could link up with new Roma boss Jose Mourinho.

But Campbell is keen to see Arsenal hang onto the duo with the former Arsenal defender citing a lack of experienced players at the north London club.

Campbell told Ladbrokes: “Who is going to change Arsenal Football Club? I think they need to have a look around the place at some of the senior players there. Do they keep a couple of players around to help bring on the youngsters?

“You can’t just go and get rid of all of your experienced players. I see the likes of Hector Bellerin and Granit Xhaka being linked with moves away but both have been a core part of that team for some time now.

“You don’t want to sever ties completely with players like that because otherwise there’ll be no one around who can teach new signings and younger players the ways of the club.

“Hector [Bellerin] has been a fantastic player for Arsenal, [Granit] Xhaka has been great as well. If it’s a matter of keeping people around for another year or so, you may as well keep hold of those two as they know the club inside out.

“If you start taking too many of those names out, who is going to teach the youngsters what it means to play for Arsenal? I personally think Bellerin and Xhaka will stay on for another year.”