Does this guy actually play like a hard man. If he does then he'll be a good addition to the team. However every clip I've seen seems to be some kind of passing compilation and not showing enough of the fighting side of things.

Big Willie wrote:

Does this guy actually play like a hard man. If he does then he'll be a good addition to the team. However every clip I've seen seems to be some kind of passing compilation and not showing enough of the fighting side of things.

No idea, he picks up a lot of suspensions though.

Welcome Granit.
Now don't go getting injured in the Euros, do get knocked out early, get a good pre-season in and storm the PL.

He confirmed that he had first spoken to Arsene Wenger "a year ago", adding: "I was almost speechless when he called."

It was the possibility of working with the Arsenal manager that ultimately swayed Xhaka, who was also reported to be a target for Liverpool and last year turned down a move to Atletico Madrid.

"Arsène is a legend for me," he said. "I often had him as a manager on the PlayStation. He’s a gentleman, full stop."

Think he'll enable us to play 4-4-2 without going "oh shit, midfield's too imbalanced "

goon wrote:

He confirmed that he had first spoken to Arsene Wenger "a year ago", adding: "I was almost speechless when he called."

It was the possibility of working with the Arsenal manager that ultimately swayed Xhaka, who was also reported to be a target for Liverpool and last year turned down a move to Atletico Madrid.

"Arsène is a legend for me," he said. "I often had him as a manager on the PlayStation. He’s a gentleman, full stop."

Oh no! A what if we got him last summer quote.

  A lot of things can happen in a year.
Leicester are champions Guardiola is at City Klopp is at Liverpool and Mourinho is almost at United, and we're still here rotting.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Think he'll enable us to play 4-4-2 without going "oh shit, midfield's too imbalanced "

It makes our options look right if that makes sense. Suddenly the combinations all look really good whenever Xhaka is one of the two. That's what a well rounded, proper central midfielder can do for you I suppose. How long has it been since we last had one?

Yonks tricks.

Xhaka looks a naturally strong type. Exciting signing

Welcome to 'The Arsenal' lad.
Hopefully he has the character that can bring back the passion of playing for the shirt and just what 'The Arsenal' means/represents.

Still gives me goose bumps to hear the older former players and managers use the term & hear the passion in their voices, as opposed to more recent players etc simplifying it to 'Arsenal'.

Good to see Xhaka himself say he turned down Atleico last summer. If Simeone was after him then that's another good endorsement of his quality and, even more so, his character.

Speaks good English, as you'd expect from a Swiss lad. It's interesting that he describes himself as aggressive and a leader.

Don't think this kid is shy and I don't think he needs an armband to lead.

Welcome Granit.

Can't help but think this will result in the departure of one of Ramsey/Cazorla. Probably Santi, as Wenger has really taken a liking to Ramsey at RW.

We've already lost three midfielders. Don't see why Cazorla or Ramsey would leave - they both may have to settle for squad roles though.

I'd like to see him play in the PL, then I'll be sure what role he could play and how valuable he could be for us. Santi leaving? if Santi returns like he was pre injury, they can play together (at least in some games). It actually looks like a special thing - like Coq Santi was, only with Coq upgraded.
As for his skills - I'd love to see all that, but from the you tube things (never saw him play otherwise) - there's stuff that needs to be proven. 
I didn't see a perfect player there, though yes, there are important good qualities.

Welcome, Granit, hope you live up to the hype.

Mirth wrote:

We've already lost three midfielders. Don't see why Cazorla or Ramsey would leave - they both may have to settle for squad roles though.

This keeps on being repeated but it's not really on the mark for me.

Rosicky was an infamous cripple, with all due respect. Arteta was past it and missed pretty much the whole season as well. Cumulatively they only played in roughly 15 games, and Elnenny by himself could easily take there spot. Only Flamini played a significant role this season. So for me, that's one player to replace (45 games in all competitions total)

We were unlucky this year in that two players without bad injury records in Coquelin and Cazorla missed very significant parts of the season. I don't expect that to happen again. Plus even a crock like Wilshere is bound to have a season where he stays relatively healthy. We could keep the midfield this well-stocked, sure, but you could just as easily sell of our options and play one of reserves in the League Cup and have them on the bench for the FA Cup (Jeff, maybe)

Granit looks like he's got another level physically to move in to. Doesn't appear to be greatly conditioned

Interesting that his brother plays for Albania (where their parents are from, the boys were both born in Switzerland) so they'll face each other in the group stage at the Euros. Brothers playing against each other for different countries must be quite rare. I know the Boatengs have done it twice at World Cups but can't think of any other instances.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:

Granit looks like he's got another level physically to move in to. Doesn't appear to be greatly conditioned

Thought the same.