granit xhaka

Switzerland international Granit Xhaka has said that Arsenal need leaders in different positions rather than a single captain. The midfielder has been touted to become the new skipper with the anticipated departure of Laurent Koscielny but believes more than one player should take up the mantle of leading by example on the field.

Speaking to The Mirror, Xhaka said that manager Unai Emery has preferred to offer instructions to different players and last season, the likes of Koscielny, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Petr Cech were able to convey their thoughts when on the field of play. He added that the same trend should continue for the forthcoming campaign and the instructions don’t necessary have to come from the captain, he quipped: “You need more than five. All the teams have to be captains on the pitch. It’s not the guys who have the armband. Of course he looks good on the pitch because he has the armband but in the end we have to work and we have to speak all together on the pitch. It’s not only one player or two.”

Former Premier League star Paul Mariner suggests Granit Xhaka needs more coaching at Arsenal to suit the defensive midfield role. The Switzerland international has been with the Gunners for the past two-and-a-half seasons where he has produced a mixed bag in terms of the performances for the club.

Speaking to ESPN FC, Mariner suggested that the midfielder is more suited to the holding role rather than playing in an advanced position. He added that the north London giants need to offer the midfielder with more coaching in the number six position, if he is to have a long-term future at the club, he said: “I like him in the 6 role. I don’t like him when he plays a little bit further forward or when he plays the 8 role. I don’t like him. What they should do with now is they should coach him a little bit more, so they are going to keep him.”

Switzerland international Granit Xhaka has dropped concerns regarding his long-term future with Arsenal after admitting he could pursue the next step away from the club. The midfielder has transformed into a key performer under Unai Emery this campaign, contributing four goals and three assists across all competitions for the club.

Speaking to Tagblatt, Xhaka has now presented doubts whether he could remain with the Gunners for the long-term after admitting that he is very ambitious and would not want the north London side to be the last stop, he said: "I’m very ambitious, I want to take the next step. Arsenal does not have to be the last stop."

Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes the winter signing of Denis Suarez at the Emirates should provide further competition for Granit Xhaka at the heart of the midfield. The Switzerland international has been lacking the defensive awareness on multiple occasions during the ongoing campaign and Keown feels the arrival of Suarez could spell trouble for Xhaka’s position in the team.

In a report covered by The Star, Keown said that manager Unai Emery is unlikely to consider dropping the likes of Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi from the starting XI and this should directly impact on Xhaka’s position, should Suarez be needed on the playing field. He added that he was surprised by the Gunners’ inability to sign a new centre-back in January, although Emery is clear with the mindset to control games after the recruitment of Suarez.
He said: “The arrival of Denis Suarez at Arsenal puts pressure on Granit Xhaka. Unai Emery is not going to drop Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi has showed promise. I am surprised Emery did not prioritise signing a defender. But this move clearly suggests that he wants to improve Arsenal’s ability to control games in midfield.”

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has admitted that he is pleased with the commitment shown from Granit Xhaka despite the Switzerland international playing out of position during the recent north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. The Gunners had gone into the game with just one senior centre-back available in the form of Sokratis and this witnessed Xhaka slot into the heart of the defence not for the first time.

Still, the presence could not prevent the Gunners suffering a 2-0 defeat in the League Cup quarter-final but Emery was nonetheless pleased with the Swiss’ commitment in a tough situation for the club, he said: “The players are helping us with their commitment, playing in different positions because the team needs them sometimes like today, because after Sunday it was a lot of minutes on the pitch for Koscielny to play today 90 minutes. He is helping [Xhaka] and I am happy with him and his performance because his commitment to help us is very important.”

Arsenal legend-turned-pundit Martin Keown believes summer signing Lucas Torreira has revived the career of Granit Xhaka. The Switzerland international was constantly criticised for his limited mobility during the previous campaign but such issues have been few and far between this season with Torreira making up the hard yards to intercept play.

In a report covered by Metro, Keown cited that he is pleased with the club’s overturning their poor away form, which was a highlight through the 2017/18 campaign. He added that he was impressed with the grit and determination of the whole side during the recent 5-1 mauling of Fulham while indicating the balance brought about by Torreira - who has allowed Xhaka to be more creative.

Switzerland vice-captain Valon Behrami has assured that Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri won’t repeat the Eagle celebration which could have quit easily got them suspended during the World Cup. The pair made the two-headed Eagles gesture during their previous group stage game against Serbia and shortly after, their opponents reported the incident to FIFA.

Initially, there were suggestions that the duo could be suspended for at least two international matches but after a show of leniency, FIFA decide to fine $10,000 from each whilst captain Stephan Lichtsteiner was fined around $5,000 for joining in the celebration despite having no link with Albanian, who are said to have a poor political relationship with Serbia.

ESPN Pundit Brian McBride believes Arsenal should consider recruiting another defensive midfielder during the summer transfer window. The Gunners have utilised the services of Granit Xhaka in the position without much success of late and the former Fulham star feels the club should add more competition within the ranks. Speaking on ESPN, he said: “They need a defensive midfielder. Xhaka I don’t think is enough of a disrupter. Sure, he fouls a lot, but it’s because he gets out of position.So I’m anxious to see who they purchase.”

Meanwhile, McBride feels Unai Emery will bring a different managerial style at Arsenal in comparison to how he worked with his former clubs, he added: “They’re getting a meticulous manager. They’re getting somebody who looks at an opponent and then tries to ensure his team are set up to, not only defend that opponent, but eventually beat that opponent.”
Arsenal endured an average season last term as they finished sixth in the standings with 63 points and the board are likely to make efforts in order to revive the club’s prospects of making the top four. The holding midfield and central defensive positions were of primary concern during the previous campaign and it will be interesting to see as to which kind of budget Emery will be offered for the summer.

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has escaped a serious knee injury during a training session with Switzerland. The 25-year-old recently suffered a nasty collision with compatriot Valon Behrami in training and reports thereafter suggested that he could miss his country’s campaign at the summer World Cup.

However, fortunately for him, the injury appears only a minor one and the Swiss team doctor has now confirmed that he should return to normal duties at the World Cup, he said: “I'm very relieved. We could already see that the ligaments were intact, but we wanted to play it safe, also with regard to the meniscus. We are very relieved that it is only a painful bone bruise - and very grateful that we were able to do an MRI scan late in the evening.”

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes the club should consider parting ways with Granit Xhaka when the season comes to a close. The Switzerland international has been prone to positional errors over the course of the campaign and Keown was once again disappointed by his performance against Manchester United.

Speaking after the game, Keown said: “Granit Xhaka has made numerous mistakes and was poor again. There was a time when an Arsenal player could make one or, maybe, two errors and then he would be replaced.Maybe it was more ruthless in those days. Xhaka has played 35 Premier League games, more than anyone else at the club this season.”