Granit Xhaka believes Arsenal are ready physically and mentally for the return of the Premier League but says he won’t know until after the Manchester City game how he and his teammates will cope with football’s strange new world.
Speaking to Swiss publication Blick ahead of Wednesday’s game at the Etihad, the midfielder touched on how he passed the time during lockdown and his expectations for the rest of the campaign.
On Covid-19 in England…
“I think that it was a terrifying new experience for all of us. In England, we were a few weeks behind Italy, Spain and Germany and the wave reached us in full. As far as I have heard, the English have followed the measures very seriously and have taken the protection of older people and high-risk groups very seriously.”
On lockdown…
“We made the best of it, I spent a lot of time with my family and looked after my daughter, who is now 8 months old. It was really a nice experience in this time of crisis.”
On playing without fans…
“To be honest, it will be a whole new experience for me. I don’t really remember when I ever played a competitive game without fan support. The emotions and the push from the terraces are certainly going to be missed, which could make the difference in crucual situations in a game. The task for us as a team remains basically the same: we have to push ourselves to the limit, adjust ourselves mentally and be motivated and professional for the games and our opponents. The Bundesliga teams have shown that they have quickly adapted to the situation and the games are of a very good level right from the start.”
On playing City…
“It’s a big challenge but we have worked very well in the past few weeks since joint training was allowed again and are really physically and mentally ready. We will know more on Thursday about how we can cope with the new framework conditions, but I have the impression that everything has been planned and organised very professionally and carefully.””
On his ambitions for the rest of the season…
“First of all, the primary goal is that the entire team and our staff can all end the season healthy under the new Covid-19 framework. That must be a top priority. We have been working towards this and planning for weeks. Then, of course, it would be great if we went on another run and challenged for the European places. We’re withing striking distance and Arsenal’s place should be in Europe.”
Probability of finishing in top four is less. Hopefully we could finish fifth and with Manchester City disqualified we could still take part in Champions League next season…
The City appeal is not decided as yet. They could escape the ban still.
Let’s say they gift us the 4th spot. Do you think we can even get out of CL group with this team? Let’s forget about 4th, and concentrate on sorting out the defence first, keeping our top player, shifting out the dead wood, and then let’s talk about 4th.
I think every year we speak about the same thing. Let’s hold on our best players and clear out the dead woods… Next year will and we will discuss the same thing once again… Never ending cycle. Sad but true
Yes, and every year we get rid off our best players, keep the dead wood, and buy a few more dead woods.
So no positives for you Naked ?
We’re going to blow it.
Great to see positive supporters
We always do.
No we don’t. How long have you been a supporter?
Long enough to see the 1999 semi final.
Not sure you can blow it from 9th
Oh we’ve already blown it.
You should know that you aren’t your past mistakes ?. You can tell yourself positive things while doing your best and you’ll shock yourself
Cant see us finishing much higher as our run in is tough. I think a season out of Europe entirely may serve us better next season. The important thing is to sort the squad out in the summer. Outs: Mkhitaryan, Sokratis, Mustafi, Auba or Lacazette, Xhaka, Chambers or Holding, Ceballos loan end. Ins: We’ll have Saliba, but we need a 40 million centre back to partner him. Possibly Partey or another athletic centre mid. Probably a proven goalscorer as well, if Aubameyang leaves, we cant rely on Lacazette. With good summer business maybe we can start to challenge again.
the way things are going who knows what next seasons CL/EL will even look like.
It will not serve us better…much harder to convince players to stay and none will want to come in without European football. Arsenal outside of European competition would be something I have never seen and I am nearly 30 years old!
No elite player wants to play in the Europa league, but we have players, with one or two exceptions that are simply not good enough for Champions league or to mount a title challenge, I dont understand why people cant see this, it’s been happening since 2016/17. We need a rethink and a rebuild if that’s where we want to be. Not trying to get Xhaka, Sokratis, Mustafi, Holding, Mkhitaryan, Lacazette and now Ozil to be better, they simply are not elite level most never have been, hence why no bigger clubs want them. But we’re stuck.with them. Keep them… Read more »
If anyone’s going to benefit from no crowd it is this man!
Great quotes from Xhaka, that guy would make a great captain 🙂
“As far as I have heard, the English have followed the measures very seriously and have taken the protection of older people and high-risk groups very seriously.” – where do you get your news from, Granit? The British (mainly English) government certainly haven’t taken this seriously enough (Cummings cough cough prick), either that or they are just completely incompetent cunts, actually both. Sorry, rant over. COYG
Atleast he will not get booed!
Wow! So much negativity on here! We have a head coach who knows the club inside-out, and a fabulous bunch of youngsters coming through. I fully expect us to rally this season and finish around 6th (higher with good luck, lower with bad). I then expect some minor tinkering with the squad in the close season – in order to bring it in line with what Mikel wants. I then expect us to improve year-on-year – with ECL within 3 seasons and a proper tilt at the title within 5. Great coaches turn average players into good – or even… Read more »