Granit Xhaka continues to impress for Arsenal this season and his newest displaying towards Brentford noticed praises from supervisor Mikel Arteta.
THE LOWDOWN: NEW ROLE, NEW XHAKA
While the likes of Gabriel Jesus and William Saliba have earned many of the plaudits for Arsenal, Granit Xhaka has slowly gone about his enterprise and has equally impressed as effectively this season.
The Swiss midfielder has thrived in a box-to-box role subsequent to Thomas Partey, and has now been given a lot freedom to maneuver to attacking positions.
That tactical has been evident in Xhaka’s numbers this time period, the place he has one goal and three assists from seven appearances within the Premier League this season.
His most up-to-date help towards Brentford was a factor of magnificence, having delivered a wonderfully weighted cross that Gabriel Jesus completed off with a pleasant header.
That help now means Xhaka has already bettered his tally of two in the 2021/22 season and is effectively on target to equal and probably beat his greatest particular person report of seven assists, which he managed within the 2017/18 marketing campaign.
THE LATEST: ARTETA PRAISES MIDFIELDER
Asides his efficiency towards Brentford, a background speaking level got here in the truth that Xhaka was given the captain armband, as one of the club’s deputy captains within the absence of Martin Odegaard.
Fans had no downside with that and it’s a main turnaround for the Swiss who got here near leaving the membership after he was booed by his personal followers in 2019.
Speaking after the 3-0 win over Brentford, Arteta had nothing however reward for Xhaka.
The Gunners boss said: “His consistency, and how he goes about every day. What he’s learnt in different moments of his career, whether here or with the national team. Also his willingness always to stay humble, to look forward and try to get better and when you do that, normally good things happen.”
Also commenting on Xhaka carrying the armband, he added: “Absolutely, and he was demanding it as well. I think he feels now that love and respect both ways. You see our supporters, the way they were singing to him as well, emotionally that makes him try to give even more. I’m really pleased for him because in my opinion he really deserves it.”
THE VERDICT: WELL DESERVED
Just lately, Kevin Campbell praised Xhaka for turning his fortunes round on the membership and it was an correct verdict on the midfielder, wanting again at it.
Also one of many membership’s senior gamers at 29, he’s now wanting snug on the pitch and appears to be taking part in his greatest soccer once more. His management skills will proceed to turn out to be useful and Arteta will likely be hoping for an injury-free marketing campaign for the Swiss worldwide.