Granit Xhaka says it’s perfectly normal that it has taken him a little bit of time to adjust to life at Arsenal.
The Swiss international – if you believe sections of the media – hasn’t come to grips with English football yet, but it feels like that’s just poor analysis. He’s made 17 appearances, scored a couple of goals, and bar that harsh red card has performed well whenever called upon.
However, Arsene Wenger has eased him into life at the club, and the 24 year old says it’s part and parcel of football.
“Actually, it’s normal when you come to a new club and country,” he said. “You need to get used to the language, the philosophy of the team, the squad, the coach.
“But I do feel very happy and comfortable here, and I know the potential I have. In football you just have to develop yourself.”
Xhaka faces his brother again at his former club when we play FC Basel in the Champions League later on. It’s also a bit of a homecoming for fellow midfielder Mohamed Elneny who joined the Gunners from the Swiss side in January of this year.
Xhaka is 24
He is now!
Xhaka has managed three goals for the club and contributed to a decent run both domestically and in the UCL. How can that be seen as a bad thing by anybody, even given the unwarranted red card against Swansea, is beyond me.
Well, he plays for Arsenal, and that’s bad enough for the media.
I agree.. actually it’s hard to think of a more consistent performer this season!
I think it’s quite sad that he’s had to come out and explain himself like this, when realistically he was dropped due to ongoing midfield experiments rather than his own personal performance.
There is something very pleasing watching the way he passes the ball. The way him and Ozil weigh their passes to players’ feet is quiet something.
It takes time to fit in, it’s a natural process but can be a stretch.
My wife said exactly the same after my enlargement.
‘Enlargement’, is that what middle aged spread is now called?
After reading the first line, I was thinking ‘phrasing’ alert! then I finished the last part.. huh!
theres some thick fucking journoes about who know jack shit about football it appears by their stupid questions and summaries they want to fuck off and study netball
OK but what about Mourinho? Isn’t he the worst ever?
I would liked to have seen him play more up to this point, but Wenger seems to have brought him along nicely and I have seen him look more and more comfortable each match. Some players like Alexis can jump right into the PL and have early success, but we’ve seen so many that take time to adjust especially coming from France or Germany not just with Arsenal, but with all the PL clubs. His quality is undeniable and he will only get better as he gets more experience in the league and with his teammates.
Was excellent on the weekend.
This fella is going to be a top class regular once he’s settled. Even potential captain in the future.
Wenger doesn’t miss on big money signings, xhaka will run the Arsenal midfield for years
He’ll be a big player for us and we’ll certainly need him now Cazorla is out for a while!
Mustafi has fit in quite well, haven’t lost an EPL game as yet ….Xha is doing quite well and soon will be a regular team player
“Nicking a living” springs to mind.
Sports journalists really are lower than a snakes belly. Even estate agents and lawyers have more about them.
But what about Mourinho though
I know what you mean. I don’t like these TV sport directors who seem to have an obsession with putting the camera on Wenger every time he’s about to zip up his jacket.
Trying to make Wenger looking like a joker or something.
He’s done more for the premier league than most managers have!
Indeed. I’ve seen at least 3 broadcasts this season already where the puppets went out of their way to set a scene early in the match about coat zippers.
To me it means we’ve got a manager intently focused on football, not preening his feathers.
What’s the term? Gobshites? Am I using that correctly?
There’s no one size fits all. Granit covers some of Coquelin’s DM work but also provides the sort of creative deep distribution Santi would give us nominally. But neither can provide the sort of carrying the ball service the little Spaniard can (Jack comes closest) Midfield will need naturally to rebalance with Le Cog and Granit. their games may dove tail each other pretty well with the more mobile Frenchman providing harrying high up and Granit sitting deeper giving cover but also acting as a ‘quarterback’. But we will likely also need a dribbler who can do what Santi does… Read more »