The Granit Xhaka redemption arc might be playing out publicly as the Swiss international’s good form has rightly earned him plaudits, as well as being named the club’s Player of the Month for the first time since his arrival in the summer of 2016.
Yet none of this will be a surprise to those inside the Arsenal dressing room where the 30 year old – despite some difficult moments in recent times – has been a well-respected and influential presence.
Xhaka scored his second goal of the season in the 3-1 win over Sp*rs at the weekend, and in an interview with The Times (£), Gabriel Martinelli highlighted his importance both as a leader and an example for less experienced members of the squad.
“Xhaka is an amazing lad,” he said. “You see how much he dedicates himself to the team, how much he cares about the match and the players as well, he is definitely one of our leaders.
“Right after our first goal against Tottenham, he calls everybody into a huddle, asking us to stay calm and saying we will score more goals.
“That’s when you see how important he is to all players. For young players like me and Bukayo , it’s very important to have a team-mate like him.”
The Brazilian, who played his countryman Richarlison off the park on Saturday, also had words of praise for the fans, and the atmosphere that exists for every game now.
“I have never seen our fans like they are now; it’s unreal, it’s amazing,” he said.
“They have been supporting me all the time. That wasn’t always so. I remember the match against Leicester when William scored an own goal, and the stands began to cheer him up and sing.
“We kicked off and two minutes later Xhaka scored, 3-1. That’s when I realised everything was different this year, the atmosphere was quite different.
“It is thrilling to listen to on the pitch.”
And long may it last.
I feel like Gabi is going to be here for his whole career. COYG
I feel the same or certainly his best years. He has the love for the club.
I don’t think there is a more exciting project in world football right now. Yes, there are clubs which are more likely to bring short term success. But surely this group of players know that if they all stick together, this side will be legendary. The only problem I can envisage is if one (let’s be honest, most likely Saliba) gets lured away by a behemoth. And then others too lose confidence in the project a little and the group dissipates. But I really can’t see that happening. And what’s more, I think career wise, Arsenal is the best place… Read more »
Agreed, lets hope we don’t see the likes of Saliba & Saka lured away and they can see the long term potential of Arteta’s fantastic project. Else it may have a similar impact to when Cesc left us which set us back years.
Agreed on your second paragraph, but I don’t see any team leading their domestic league that gives youth such a chance right now and helps them develop as we are. I think we’ll be fine, regarding the contracts 🙂
Edu&Vinai will pay the rate to keep players we’ve developed. It’s more expensive to buy a replacement than to pay players like Saliba, Saka, and
Martinelli what the market dictates.
Of all the current young players I think Gab Marinelli has the highest ceiling. I can’t wait for the day he became a true 9 with Saka and Odegaard behind him. He genuinely seems like a lovely young fella.
As. For GX wouldn’t it be just wonderful to win the title in his honour? I think that alone would make for a superb all or nothing doccie.
Don’t quote me… All or Nothing Arsenal – Season 2!
Watching the United mauling (which was equally funny and terrifying) made me realise how quiet the Etihad is even when leading 4-0.
Possibly because they are pretty used to mauling teams so it’s not a particularly big deal, even against Utd? We had a thumping there last season I recall.
I think we need to be very wary of City. They have the elements in place now they have Haaland to get ahead should we slip up and, more worryingly, probably stay ahead over the season as a whole.
Like us, City have already faltered this season. Although they haven’t lost they have drawn twice against Villa and Newcastle. We need to be analysing what those teams did because they both made it difficult for them. We are a much better team than both. We’d need to play out of our skins but it’s not impossible to beat them. We have a better chance to do that this year. We gave them a good game last time and even dominated at times.
I don’t think anything you’ve said contradicts my comment. I certainly didn’t say City were impossible to beat or that we couldn’t beat them. All teams “falter” at one stage or another and I’m sure both City and us will do so again. We lost narrowly at home to them last season and it’s quite possible we can win this time around. That said, they thumped us on their ground so I’m not really expecting much joy there, but I hope I’m wrong. I think we need to look at the season remaining as a whole, and there’s a lot… Read more »
Sensible comment.No way we finish above City.we are 2-3 injuries away from really being limited in our efforts.
Fear not- it’s David vs Goliath all over again and we know how the story ends.😄🙏🏾
it must end biblical, we even have jesus on our side
Etihad is generally very quiet, but who could they banter with when most Utd fans left before half time?! LOL
Not the Poznan though 😄
I heard his doing his coaching badges on the side; I can’t wait for Granit Xhaka the manager. Imagine 11 players infused with the Xhaka spirit on the pitch! That would be one never-say-die team.
I hope it will be at the Emirates.
*heard he’s
That’s thinking ahead – and nothing wrong with that.
If he gets his badges, I imagine he’ll be doing several years of coaching with junior/reserve teams at a club/clubs before he gets to work with a senior side anywhere. The jump from that to taking charge at any club is a big one and very few manage it overall. I guess I’m saying that while we all hope he does well if he chooses to go into coaching after finishing playing, I think the prospect of Xhaka becoming Arsenal manager one day is a long way off yet.
It’s very interesting about Xhaka. He has gone (literally) from zero to hero in a fairly short time. From the “difficult moments” that the article mentions – so difficult that he was very close to a move away from The Emirates at one stage – to a sort of father figure to our very young team. His own game has improved as we can all see due in no small part to a better, mutual, understanding with Arteta. Good luck to him and long may he continue.
Players need us to believe in them, to build their self belief. They are young and need our support..
I’m proud to say the atmosphere at the Emirates is fantastic, caused in no small part by my nephew and his pals The Ashburton Army. The banner you saw v dem at the weekend is the Army. My sis (his mum) was cutting out the letters all thru Thursday night lol. They don’t get paid but do receive subscriptions from fans which fund the project. Well done to every fan but it is the A A that kick it all off
Xhaka may not come across as the smartest of lads, but there is absolutely no doubting his chutzpah. He always stands up to be counted. I am very happy to forget his past behaviour, which wasn’t great but not admittedly helped by the fans, because since then he has stood up to be counted.
Clearly he doesn’t need a Captains Armband, to be a on-pitch leader.
Now, if only refs would treat him as per his actions, not per his reputation!!
It’s all about the ❤️ now
❤️
We are The Arsenal. And I dare to say the best is yet to come. Coyg.
Let’s not forget he has the keys to the house.😄😍
Granite: obstinate, coarse, frictious, stable, dependable, sparkles when treated appropriately.
The other thing about GX34 is that he doesn’t depend on extreme speed. Compare him with Giroud, still playing at 35 and able to do much the same job as in his younger days, but with more know-how. We need to accept that even when the fans were less enamoured with GX34, as long as he was fit and available, he was a nailed-on starter. I’m sure that MA8 knew what he was doing.