Arsene Wenger says he expects Granit Xhaka to adapt quickly to Premier League football, and says his ability on the ball will help improve Arsenal’s football.
Midfield was a problematic area for much of last season, but the money spent on Mohamed Elneny in January and the £35m spent on the Swiss international has given the manager genuine options.
Some players can take time to get used to a new league, but Wenger is sure the 23 year old will hit the ground running.
“He has not played in the Premier League yet but I’m confident he will adapt very quickly because he is very keen and he wants to work and wants to become a top-level player,” he said.
“His attitude is spot on, so when the attitude is as it is at the moment, the player’s adaption is very fast.
“He has done extremely well from the start. He looks to be a very motivated and focused player, with good leadership qualities as well.
“He is a left-footed player, the quality of his pass is top level and he will help us improve our technical level.”
Xhaka is expected to make his debut tomorrow against Liverpool although it’s not yet clear who the manager will pick to partner him.
Whoever it is, all eyes will be on the new boy and hopefully he’ll have a debut to remember.
Looks good so far. Hopefully carries on his form to tomorrow’s game. COYG!!!!
It’s mad that he cost £35M but for some reason doesn’t feel like a ‘big money signing’. Have we become totally desensitised to transfer fees or has it just been overshadowed by our pleas for a striker? It’s a hell of a lot of money when you think about it in relation to signings of previous seasons. Bet he’s going to be bloody good, Wenger never messes around when he splurges big…
We’ve gone and bought one of the best cms in the world. People have completely underestimated what he will do for the spine of the team. We could still see 20+ prem goals from Giroud or Theo as confidence spreads through the ranks and hopefully maintains this season.
Hope the boss is right on this! Xhaka has looked good in the preseason, the real test begins Sunday. So far he looks like a really good signing – in terms of both technical skill and attitude – and I’m hoping he’ll really help the team kick on this season.
Can’t wait to see him player. Superb player he’ll turn out to be for us.
Xhaka can?
Anyway, I hope to see a good team performance against what will be a highly motivated liverpool side- a few early defeats will shut the press up regarding how awesome they think lfc are.
Most of the commentators seem to be ex Liverpool players so I’m not sure there is any shutting them up
Sickening it is
Not as bad as the spurs love-in on the BBC though …
You should (rather, should not) see it here stateside. I don’t get it. Especially Fox when I’m reduced to watching it.
I agree, it’s like after Clint Dempsey played for Spurs for that short bit a few broadcast people decided to annoint Spurs as America’s team or something. It’s disgusting. Though Arsenal are very popular over here as well.
Although nbc flashed a graphic during the spuds game that they’ve finished behind arsenal for the last 21 years
Lol when I saw that wankers
If I ever wake up to find that I’ve turned into an American I’ll be sure to watch NBC.
Added steel, vision, passing, and height in the midfield. Yeah, I think he gives us a good chance on having great season. All we need is F*CKING striker!!!
What you on about? He’s absolute sh*te. Mark Lawrenson said so.
Xhaka and elneny for the Liverpool game.
With Cazorla captain also…no?
What about Ramsey?
Ramsay should play the Ozil #10 position. Elneny or coquelin to partner xhaka…should be a solid midfield this season. Can’t wait for our season to get underway COYG!
I think Ramsey and Santi are vying for a spot. Ramsey might also start right. Truth, the midfield is extremely hard to pick, between the talent available, Ozil’s absence, the need to counter Liverpool’s press, and the possibility Alexis starts up top. wtf, that’s what the manager’s job is. Mine to root for the team — and hold off second guessing until after the game!
Given the ragged state of our back four, stability might well be the best way to go. We know we’re not going to have the strongest pair of centre-backs, so the best way to prevent that being exploited is to prevent them being exposed as much as possible.
Ramsey has been playing #10 while Ozil has been out. Might see him there.
GK Cech LB Monreal RB Bellerin CB Holding CB Chambers DM Xhaka CM Elneny AM Ramsey LW Iwobi RW Campbell ST Walcott
Sanchez and Ox m8!!!
Leicester lost, Spurm drew and Citeh were lucky and rather shit.
Happy days looking forward to watching Arsenal do their stuff tomorrow!
Why do I have the feeling that a left legged midfielder is a great passer. Ozil, Santi… Hmm can’t find more examples though 🙂
Liam Brady
FYI, Santi uses both feet but when asked which is his strongest he says it’s his right.
From what I’ve seen he’s going to be a class act! Looks like he could be pretty aggressive in the challenges. I hope he plays tomorrow.
Now lets get Mahrez signed up next week!
Controlling the midfield is crucial tomorrow. Our defense is missing so we must not give them the ball. Xhaka will be need to bring his A game tomorrow.
probably the most Xabi Alonso alike midifielder I have seen for a while. Lots of chances are gonna be created. Santi, Xhaka and ozil would be chances galore. any way tommorow xhaka should start wiyh elneny with santi @no 10.
You are spot on about the Alonso comparison although I suspect that if Xhaka starts he will be paired with Coquelin to provide extra protection for the back 4. I openly admit that I am biased regarding Le Coq as he never gives up and always plays fearlessly, and these are characteristics that Arsenal can use more, not less, of in the squad. I also think that a Xhaka/Coq combo would be very physical and would ask serious questions in the midfield, something that has been consistently lacking since the steely days of Vieira, Petit and Gilberto. I like Elneny… Read more »
Xhaka and le Coq would qualify as our most send-offable DM partnership. Xhaka especially likes to be aggressive while Coq has got stuck in a few times too.
Yes, I know what I did…
I wonder if they might be a bit too aggressive given that we’re Arsenal and this is the first game of the season. You know what pricks refs can be, and they’ve been given something to prove this season. An aggressive Arsenal midfield is just made for some plonker ref that’s eagerly swinging his new Respect Cudgel
A midfield of Xhaka, Santi and Ozil would be insanely creative. Could be obscenely good …
Interesting idea …
When Ozil returns to the squad we’ll probably see that selection regularly.
Start with elneny ramsey xhaka and cazorla for extra protection for the defence. I’d rather we go into the break with a nil nil. Firmino, coutinho, mane, wijnaldum are dangerous players to have with a weak defence
hope he’ll be ruthless ( and card free ) on other team players !
I think a Xhaka-Elneny partnership would provide the right shield in front of the young centrebacks and allow us to get to offense quickly and tidily as well. If Cazorla was deployed as the top of the midfield triangle, I think we’d have great control in the middle of the pitch and make it much more difficult for Liverpool to force us into turnovers (Ramsey sometimes hangs on to the ball too long) while providing good outlets for the backline (Elneny is tireless in this respect). I think a front three of Ox, Walcott (I know, I know, but he… Read more »
A debut to remember for the right reasons.
COYG!!!!
Xhaka reminds me of a more athletic xabi alonso, great passer of the ball and adds some necessary bite to our team! Why the hell we haven’t signed a CB or a ST beats me. I’m surprised about it, but I’m not sure why
A young Bastian Schweinsteiger if you will.
Xhaka is the man! I’m rooting for you dude!!