Granit Xhaka: Page 64 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Granit Xhaka

Gazza M

RocktheCasbah wrote:
What's been interesting about him is that, rather than being left behind, he's been able to raise his level as the level of the team around him has increased. I don't think he's anyone's idea of an ideal number 8, but I really feel now we're at the stage where any criticism of his performances this season (so far) is nit picking. And I feel I need to keep reiterating this, but I do say this as someone who would have happily drowned him in the River Thames several times over.

Couldn't be more impressed by how he's turned it round, but perhaps having a manager who finally understood how to use has helped no end.

And what a dreamy cross that was for Jesus.

No pun intended..

this is where I'm at too. struggling to think of another arsenal player that turned around such a sour narrative, this deep into their arsenal career. it looked for all the world like it was over, now people are singing his name. that's quite something

Meatwad

why not xhaka managing arsenal? he's white and a former captain, that seems to be the only requirements.

Claudius

Like Emery and Wenger before him?

flobaba

Very odd direction in which to steer the conversation. Inter lull must be hitting you hard meaty

Anzac

Redemption story completed?
Personally I still have reservations in remembering his comments from last summer along the lines about blaming others for poor performances and mentality issues, and the players not matching his performance standards.

https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/players/granit-xhaka-arsenal-fans-brentford-25058819

For Xhaka personally Sunday marked something of a milestone as he captained Arsenal for the first time from the start of a Premier League game since his infamous incident that saw him tell fans to 'f*** off' after he was substituted in a home game against Crystal Palace nearly three years ago. As the game came to an end the redemption arc he has undergone with fans since that point was painted clearly when supporters chanted his name after he went over to applaud them.

A visibly emotional Xhaka took time to stand and take it all in. Such a thing would have been unthinkable not so long ago and the 29-year-old is enjoying the new bond he has built with the fanbase and revealed that he feels this is only just the beginning.

"I never ever thought one day this would happen, if I am being honest," he said. "To be in front of them, to have them singing my name is very, very special and emotional. I always wanted that. I always wanted to give them something back after what happened. We were working a lot to try and change their minds of what they had for me and I am happy for what has happened. There is more to come from myself."

Anzac

What's changed for Granit Xhaka at Arsenal?
Tifo IRL

Claudius

Good summary of the Xhaka situation.
Did not finish it all but the first 6 minutes seemed to suggest that this good form has happened to Xhaka which does him a great disservice. He has been one of our more important players in the Arteta era - consistent hard work, excellent passing, reliability, durability, and flexibility & adaptability.

He's also one of the best examples to me that Arteta is a strong coach. How he has been able to connect to him personally and also been able to maximize a player who was highly regarded coming here but never sparkled his first few years with us.

flobaba

https://arseblog.com/2022/09/the-redemption-of-granit-xhaka/

I agree with this.

Watch out for the clip showing his run and positioning for the Martinelli near assist. Great stuff.

flobaba

Another thing I have to say about Xhaka is that he is very much team first. It’s never about him, even during his worst moments, and he makes the sacrifices necessary to make the team work. That’s always good to see.

QuincyAbeyie

He's playing well at the moment and I hope he keeps it going all season, but I definitely don't agree with that. After the 19/20 season he said that he himself had a good season but the rest of the team didn't. That was when he wanted to leave to Roma/Mourinho iirc.

JazzG

Too early to call it a redemption yet but definitely on the right path. Freeing him from defensive duties definitely has helped him. He does still sometimes take too long on the ball but it is much better than before.

Qwiss

flobaba wrote:
Another thing I have to say about Xhaka is that he is very much team first. It’s never about him, even during his worst moments, and he makes the sacrifices necessary to make the team work. That’s always good to see.

In what way?

Coombs

I have the same question.

flobaba

In the way he plays actually. He mostly tries to play in service of the team in my opinion. He is a senior figure, and if he decided he wanted to be pulling a Steven Gerard (just to use an example), and attempting 30 yarders in every game, or trying to get more shots in at goal when others (Martinelli in the last game) could be better positioned, he would be well within his rights to do so, but more often than not he makes the right decision with the ball. His passing is a bit conservative sometimes, but I think that’s him not being able to move his feet quickly enough, and not because he cannot spot a pass.

I’ve decided on a truce with him: if he continues to play in this way, at this level, I’m going to ease off on criticisms of him due to his physical limitations, and focus more on the spirit of what he is trying to accomplish.

goon

He definitely follows instructions very well so in that sense he is quite selfless. No complaints about not being played in a certain position unlike the likes of Ox, AMN, Theo and Ramsey.

Positionally I think he’s one of the best I’ve come across in the way he’s able to adapt to different demands almost seamlessly, and almost always seems to get himself involved lots when it comes to touches of the ball. That skill of making yourself available shouldn’t be dismissed. Something even Ode can learn from.

Sicario

As I mentioned the other day, this is Xhaka’s best spell in an Arsenal shirt but having thought about it I think some caution is required:

1) his bar is so low that any resemblance of good performances would make him look way better than he was. He’s gone from a 4/10 to a 6.5/10
2) it is only 7 or 8 games into the season, let’s see how he is at the half way stage or end of the season.
3) MU who are shit, he was practically invisible against.
4) he will still let you down. A leopard doesn’t change his spots.

Claudius

Sicario wrote:
As I mentioned the other day, this is Xhaka’s best spell in an Arsenal shirt but having thought about it I think some caution is required:

1) his bar is so low that any resemblance of good performances would make him look way better than he was. He’s gone from a 4/10 to a 6.5/10
2) it is only 7 or 8 games into the season, let’s see how he is at the half way stage or end of the season.
3) MU who are shit, he was practically invisible against.
4) he will still let you down. A leopard doesn’t change his spots.

Come on. He’s been good 12- 18 months. It’s not this season.

Sicario

Claudius wrote:
Sicario wrote:
As I mentioned the other day, this is Xhaka’s best spell in an Arsenal shirt but having thought about it I think some caution is required:

1) his bar is so low that any resemblance of good performances would make him look way better than he was. He’s gone from a 4/10 to a 6.5/10
2) it is only 7 or 8 games into the season, let’s see how he is at the half way stage or end of the season.
3) MU who are shit, he was practically invisible against.
4) he will still let you down. A leopard doesn’t change his spots.

Come on. He’s been good 12- 18 months. It’s not this season.

18 months?? Last season how many times did he let us down/get sent off?

This season is the first time I recall him putting in back to back good games.

The bottom line always with Xhaka is since we signed him we haven’t got CL football. Coincidence?

Let’s see if this year is different

Bosscielny

Great start to the season from Xhaka. Continuing, and improving on, the good form he has had over the last season and a bit.

Credit to him and the coaching staff for getting this level out of him. The fact there are some who still can't accept how good and reliable he's become only highlights how impressive his turnaround has been. He must have been pretty shit if we've got fans watching every single game and still not noticing what he's bringing to the team and the position because they're hung up on a red card he got in 2020 or some shit, as if it's even remotely relevant to his performances now.

Wouldn't surprise me if there's another extension in the summer.

Sicario

Bosscielny wrote:
Great start to the season from Xhaka. Continuing, and improving on, the good form he has had over the last season and a bit.

Credit to him and the coaching staff for getting this level out of him. The fact there are some who still can't accept how good and reliable he's become only highlights how impressive his turnaround has been. He must have been pretty shit if we've got fans watching every single game and still not noticing what he's bringing to the team and the position because they're hung up on a red card he got in 2020 or some shit, as if it's even remotely relevant to his performances now.

Wouldn't surprise me if there's another extension in the summer.

I judge him on 6 years of shit not 6 good games. He still has a lot to prove and ideally we need to replace all 3 CM’s not named Sambi next summer.

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