Former player Owen Hargreaves has said that he thought Arsenal would get rid of Granit Xhaka in the first place under Mikel Arteta. However, he was proved wrong.
The Swiss midfielder is now one of the first names on the team sheet. Hence, there are many people like Owen that are eating back their words.
THE RISE OF GRANIT XHAKA UNDER MIKEL ARTETA
Arsenal sacked Unai Emery after only one and a half years. However, the decision was celebrated by many fans. This is because the Gunners fans thought many players that played under Emery were lucky to stay beyond their peak age. One of the player that fans wanted immediately sold was Granit Xhaka. The Swiss midfielder was in the poor form under Emery. He was also booed by his own fans against Crystal Palace in 2019.
However, the new incoming manager Mikel Arteta against all odds made the decision to block his exit from Arsenal. The move surprised the Gunners fans. However, they supported the decision and decided to give the midfielder another chance. Since then, Xhaka has never looked back on his bad form. He is now the constructor of the attack. The midfielder also drops in to help the defenders as usual. Hence, the fans that hated him no love him more than ever.
THE ARSENAL MIDFIELDER IS ALSO PROVING EX-FOOTBALLERS WRONG
Former footballer Owen Hargreaves has also said he thought Granit Xhaka would be the first player to leave Arsenal under Mikel Arteta. He further said,
“I think, to bounce back the way he did, with the Arsenal fans, says a lot about him. You only really know a player when things are really difficult and he has had it as difficult as you can get with your own fans. He has come back flying.“Mikel picks him all the time. You think about all the players Mikel has got rid of. Aubameyang and all these different guys.
Owen further said,
“The fans thought he would have been the first guy he would have got rid of. But he stayed there because he trusts him and he is reliable. I am delighted for him – I think he is going to be there for a while.”
Hence, it looks like the apologies for Granit Xhaka are getting louder than ever. They will also give him a contract extension.
Arsenal fans will also be happy to see such an influential midfielder extend his contract. Granit Xhaka also now helps the young players in the dressing room. He is also now the vice-captain of the club. The midfielder was the captain in a number of matches due to the injury of club captain Martin Odegaard.
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