The Arsenal midfield has a new face this season, as £35m Granit Xhaka is slotted into Arsene Wenger’s first XI. The Swiss international hasn’t joined to be back up, and his physicality and pinpoint distribution from deep positions are set to add another dimension to the way we play.
Quite who partners him remains to be seen, but further forward it’ll be interesting to see how he links up with Mesut Ozil. The German international returned to training today after an extended summer break, and the new boy is keen to start work on a partnership which could prove very fruitful.
I don’t know a better No 10 than Mesut,” he told Arsenal Player.
“He’s very important for this team, as he’s shown in the past. He has his qualities, he’s something special … he’s got an excellent final pass and a superb first touch.
“I’m definitely looking forward to playing alongside him.”
Ozil looked happy to be back in the training pictures today, and it was good to see Ilkay Gundogan refreshed ahead of the new campaign.
Finally back in training with fully charged batteries! ??? #AFC @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/jD4A0dD9Na
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) August 10, 2016
Ozil is unlikely to feature this weekend against Liverpool with Arsene Wenger eager to ease the last returning trio back into action.
We’re looking forward to it too
Yeah it’ll be great when they link up “Cech finds Koscielny who in turn finds Xhaka. Great ball to Ozil who looks up and sees a huge question mark and decides to pass back to Xhaka.” At least we could get our average possession stats over 80% this season…
That was quite funny while driving your point across
Your reply was comically devoid of sarcasm or suggestion.
That picture of Ozil and Xhaka looks very suggestive
Looks ahead and see huge question mark….
Yea it’ll be neat for a year until Ozil leaves.
Zzzzzzz bore off
Let’s see who wenger signs in 2 weeks time.
50 delusional people downvoted this. Why would him or Alexis stay after this season, if we don’t have the signings to challenge?
Wenger has two weeks to get his shit together in the transfer market (We’ll he’s had long enough already)>
I also, am glad that Gundogan is feeling refreshed ahead of the new season.
#YaGunnersYa #COYG
Imagine a midfield of ozil, elneny and xhaka…let’s see you try get the ball. Our midfield just makes me happy for some strange reason. Probably the strongest in the league.
Don’t forget Super Santi!!! I think he was the big (or little, haha) missing link last year.
Santi is the man!
The missing link was a finisher!!! Giroud lost form and we had no other option because Walcott is garbage. Will be the same again this season
You don’t wanna insult the opposition. I know that’s why you left Santi out.!
There is this talk about Ozil and Sanchez leaving at the end of this year. To go where, a bigger club? Like the bigger clubs from where they came? To Man U? City? Chelsea? PSG? There are very few clubs bigger than Arsenal and two of them have already let these guys go.
I’m sorry but you are wrong, the clubs names by yourself have challenged for the league and also the champions league (bar city) those clubs are able to make the transfers they deem necessary to challenge…we are not…with the exception of United our recent history is more colourful…but if I was a player looking for a club with ambition (based on the current dynamics of our ‘business’ sorry I mean club) I know where I would prefer…and it hurts believe me it really does hurt but that’s the sad truth…
The thought did occur to me too … if you exclude the clubs that are already well stocked in their positions there are even less options.
Uhm Bayern would pick up Özil in a heartbeat and Juventus would love Alexis.
Jack, check out your tongue, now, you’ve got competition! 😀
I’m super excited for the season. Football is back.
Feel sorry for Xhaka not getting the attention he deserve due to the whole CB and ST wishes by most fans.
Would also rather extend Alexis and Özil contracts now, I care about signing CB and Striker but the contract extension is just as important knowing we may not sign anyone.
It might do him good though, not as much pressure on him..
We’ve definitely got great options in the centre, with Santi, Jack, Rambo, Elneny and Coq to consider too, be really interesting to see how Wenger sets it up…
Before the injury gods make his mind up for him of course.
Picture 8, Jack are those crutches?
Nah, that’s one of those walkers that you put tennis balls on the feet.
We have a hell of a midfield. Come on Arsene, bring a similar level of a striker (and a good CB) and we can really challenge for the league!
We are also looking forward to some signings… Wenger!!!!
We have got everything in midfield right now. combative, creative, energetic players. Ramsey, Ozil, Wilshere,Santi, Xhaka, Coquilen, Elneny, that is 7 players competing for 3 positions. We just need a Center back and a top striker. Wingers are good but not worldclass except alexis. Great squad but not complete yet. Please wenger dont leave us short I beg you.
Guys trust wenger, he is going to make better this time
That Wenger got Granit in early is in itself a fantastic coup. Too many like to perpetuate this whole Wenger fails to sign mythology. Wenger has been extremely good in market with his premium buys. Whether he buys enough is another issue. First Ozil was an excellent ‘panic buy’ for 42.3m when you consider the number of clubs who would have been in for him had they knew there was opportunity. Ask yourself how Wenger kept this one so close to chest because 42.3m was a very good price. Ditto Alexis and Granit. For that matter Santi and Cech who… Read more »
I am itching for a new striker signing. Please Wenger I beg you. Just splash the cash. Mahrez and Icardi will do nicely thank you very much.
Haters will say it’s photoshopped
love a good The Room reference blogs, i’ll keep my comments in my pocket next time 😉
Anyone else thinking the uncertainty over Wenger is also affecting transfers and co ntract renewals.
Arsene and the stability in the club has been one of d strongest selling points but all that is surely about to change with everyone unsure how d board will handle it.
Let’s hope we get things right.