Oh its on

The little I've seen of Xhaka reminds me more of a mix between Alonso and Nainggolan than of Kante.

He does look like the midfield partner we've wanted for Ramsey ever since Arteta's legs went.

I hope he stays on his feet more than Nainggolan.
Unless you have Vieira-like qualities, i don't like tacklers who are constantly going to ground as if you get the wrong ref, you are screwed.

if we play a midfield 3, id like to see xhaka, elneny and wilshere. xhaka and elneny would be a nice base, giving wilshere more freedom. put ozil in front of them and then alexis + a world class striker up top

Some of the trajectory of his passes in the compilation is Pirlo esque. Impressive technique.

Elneny, Cazorla, Ramsey, Wilshere, Xhaka, Coquelin is a great mix of central midfielders. We just have to find the right combination.

Dunno.. Looks nothing special to me.. Technique/Control looks pretty average and that's what we are crying out for most at the moment. Has a decent range of passing but also has way to much time in that video.. Haven't seen him play full games so wouldn't want to comment further, could be way off.. but not getting that tingling feeling.. especially that it sound like he is going to cost a lot

Yes his technique isn't top notch. His power and aggression combined with a decent technical ability are what appeal

Vladimir Petković (Switzerland national football team manager), gave this answer when asked if he's afraid that the Kosovar players in the Swiss NT(like Xhaka and Shaqiri) will change nationalities to play for Kosovo, Petkovic said:

"That Xhaka changes, is possible, but only the club (smiles)".

It looks like this will happen, and fast. Before the 10th of June.

There is something I dislike how his body positioning. He looks quite rigid. He doesn't shift his body weight quickly enough. I like agile midfielders.

In his compilations he's more often than not got a lot of time, with nobody closing him down. He opens up his body and it's painfully obviously when he's going to launch a cross field high ball. Will that get snuffed out by defenders in the PL? Possibly. It's possible that he'll attempt these super passes in this league only for defenders to react quicker, close him down faster and be there to intercept or block him.

Or the defenders positioned in the area's where the balls are being launch to, just head it away.

Good to notice these things, I am sure the Arsenal scouts are well equipped to make a better decision that any of us are, endless amounts of analysing etc. Just what I noticed.

I love some of his 20 yard smashes.

From what I've seen he's good at maneuvering out of a bind with a quick 1-2 or feint. Not a lump or awkward by any stretch

We've hand lots of midfielders who look good technically but are rubbish. On the break they play the ball behind the runner. And kill it. The chances of scoring on the counter drop massibky after something like 7 seconds. And you waste one and a half seconds if a ball is behind someone.

And we've also had loads of players who over or under hit important passes. So against united we'd have 9 nearly chances. They'd have a less technical midfield but get the important passes spot on. Same against Chelsea fans called it luck but was all round technical ability not just looking flashy with the ball at your feet.

Worried that one strength of his - his shooting, will be neutralised by wenger encouraging him not to shoot

Seems to be able to pass between the lines well

Can imagine him forming a great partnership alongside Elneny

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Worried that one strength of his - his shooting, will be neutralised by wenger encouraging him not to shoot

Seems to be able to pass between the lines well

Can imagine him forming a great partnership alongside Elneny

No disrespect but Elneny seems to essentially be a water carrier type of player who tidies up the loose ball - a better Denilson.

If Xhaka is indeed a genuine DLP who can also defend, then I'd want to see him partnered with someone who can provide a different option if the DLP comes under pressure.  Essentially I want a Vidal type = Kante?

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Worried that one strength of his - his shooting, will be neutralised by wenger encouraging him not to shoot

He doesn't score much though so maybe thats a good thing.

he followed then quickly unfollowed arsenal on twitter

#donedeal

Sneaky bastard

Started following a few of our players as well

I heard he followed Pat Rice.