Hertha Berlin have agreed the principles of a loan deal for Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka with a view to a £25m permanent move, but it is still dependent on Mikel Arteta’s say-so to go through in January.

The Premier League club had given Xhaka permission to sort out his future after the controversy in November that saw him stripped of the captaincy, with a general acceptance he needed a change of scene.

The Swiss international’s camp held discussions with Hertha Berlin, who are about to embark on an ambitious and expansive new project after 50 per cent of the club was bought by investor Lars Windhorst. Among their other targets are Julian Draxler and Mario Gotze.

Arsenal have been willing to let Xhaka go on loan with a view to negotiating a permanent deal at a later date, but the arrival of Arteta has just delayed any moves as he seeks to assess his squad.

The new manager is said to like Xhaka, but is also conscious that the player could do with time away from the club. Arteta doesn’t want to leave himself short in midfield, though, and a move will only be sanctioned if he is content with the options he has or Arsenal themselves bring in an alternative.

Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Bernd Leno - 6 Curiously on a night where Chelsea dominated possession, had little to do with few clear sightings of his goal. Commanded his area better than he has at times this season. A second Premier League clean sheet. EPA Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Hector Bellerin - 8 Very solid showing, and awful to see him stretchered off after a non-contact leg injury so soon after returning. Getty Images Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Sokratis Papastathopoulos - 7 Very strong at the back, combining well with Koscielny and showing passion and leadership. An assist with a sliced cross to set up his centre-back partner, too. REUTERS Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Laurent Koscielny - 9 Should have put Arsenal ahead just prior to Lacazette’s opener, but made amends with a fortunate shoulder home after mistiming his header attempt. Outstanding defensively. Header after header, block after block, tackle after tackle. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Sead Kolasinac - 7 A player more noted for his attacking influence this season but very solid defensively on the night. Did waste one chance, opting to go further to the byline rather than square with Torreira waiting unmarked. Getty Images Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Granit Xhaka - 7 Strong performance. Tackled and intercepted well. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Lucas Torreira - 7 The midfield dovetailed nicely, shutting down Chelsea’s football and holding their defensive structure to secure the game. Torreira moved forward effectively at times, too. Action Images via Reuters Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Matteo Guendouzi - 7 Busy and tireless on the left of the midfield three during the first half, providing cover for Sead Kolasinac in Arsenal’s narrower system. Getty Images Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Aaron Ramsey - 7 Deployed in a free role behind the front two, making the most of his touches and working hard. Wasn’t hugely impactful beyond the first 15 minutes, but instrumental in Arsenal’s fast start. AP Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Alexandre Lacazette - 8 Excellent opener, controlling superbly and staying on his feet before applying a strong finish. Fizzed throughout with his ability to move with the ball a huge asset for Arsenal. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Pierrer-Emerick Aubameyang - 7 Missed a couple of very good chances in the early stages, but constantly threatened the Chelsea defence and put the hard work in up front. REUTERS Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6 Superb reflex save from Koscielny header early on. Faultless for the goals. REUTERS Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Cesar Azpiulicueta - 6 Escaped an uncharacteristic early error unpunished. Afforded plenty of space but found targets lacking with Chelsea’s diminutive front-six. AFP/Getty Images Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Antonio Rudiger - 5 Escaped an uncharacteristic early error unpunished. Afforded plenty of space but found targets lacking with Chelsea’s diminutive front-six. AP Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings David Luiz - 5 His range of passing stood out, but should have taken better charge of his box as the senior head in the Chelsea defence. PA Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Marcos Alonso - 7 Similarly frustrated by Chelsea’s lack of options as he looked to cross. Hit the post with a flicked header late in the first half and, in truth, looked their most likely goal threat, moving into the box at times to give a sizeable option. AP Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Jorginho - 5 Kept things ticking over in midfield as he always does when Chelsea dominate possession, but is limited as a forward passer and creator. REUTERS Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Mateo Kovacic - 6 Uninfluential during his hour on the pitch, and Chelsea’s lack of midfield creativity was telling. AFP/Getty Images Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings N'Golo Kante - 5 There is an argument to be made that Chelsea’s two best players both started this game out of position. Kante isn’t being asked to do what he does well. AFP/Getty Images Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Pedro - 6 Nearly equalised five minutes after the opener with a deft chip over Bernd Leno, the ball tumbling just the wrong side of the post. Otherwise largely ineffectual, but he was typically industrious. Getty Images Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Willian - 5 Wasteful, with his only option seemingly to cut inside and fire against Arsenal defenders. At risk of losing his place to Giroud to add balance. Getty Images Arsenal vs Chelsea player ratings Eden Hazard - 5 Chelsea’s reliance on him is such that on a subdued night from him like tonight they never look like scoring. Deploying him as a false-nine doesn’t really work in games like this, and he drifted with touches limited. AP

The club’s injury problems have also complicated the situation, although there is confidence the deal will eventually be done.