ARSENAL: XHAKA NOMINATED FOR PLAYER AWARD

Switzerland national team star Granit Xhakahas been nominated for the Player of the Month award at Arsenal for April 2022. The Switzerland international is on a four-man list for the award as announced by Arsenal on Wednesday. Apart from the ex-Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder, the other nominees are England international Bukayo Saka, Egyptian international Mohamed ElNeny and young England striker Eddie Nketiah.

Arsenal have had a testing month in April 2022 due to a mixed run of results. They started the month with a surprising 3-0 defeat against hosts Crystal Palace in the Premier League London Derby before the 2-1 home defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion in the same competition. The Gunners made it three matches in a row when Polish defender Jan Bednarek scored the only goal of the game to give Southampton a 1-0 win at home to the North Londoners.

The Mikel Arteta-led Arsenal side were able to end their run of three successive Premier League defeats with the impressive 4-2 away win over Chelsea thanks to the brace from the aforementioned Nketiah with a goal in each half. Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka (penalty) also scored for the Gunners, while Cesar Azpilicueta and Timo Werner scored for hosts Chelsea.

In their last game in April 2022, Arsenal beat Manchester United 3-1 at home to make it two straight league victories on the back of three straight losses. Switzerland international Xhaka scored the goal that clinched the result against the Red Devils, while Nuno Tavares and Bukayo Saka (penalty) were also on the scoresheet for the Gunners. Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo scored the only goal for the visitors.

Xhaka has been able to win the Arsenal fans to his side following his performances in recent weeks. The Gunners faithfuls have been impressed with him in the last two games especially with the team going for a place in the top-four as far as the Premier League log is concerned.