Granit Xhaka says Arsenal showed togetherness and spirit as they overcame AC Milan 2-0 in the San Siro.
First half goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey, both assisted by Mesut Ozil, see the Gunners in a strong position to qualify for the next round of the Europa League when the two sides meet again next week at the Emirates.
After four defeats on the bounce, the performance and result came as a relief to all involved.
“At the start it was a little bit difficult for us, but after that we made it our game and we scored,” Xhaka told Arsenal.com. “I think 2-0 here in Milan is a good result for the first leg.”
He added: “A lot of people spoke about us from the outside, but nobody knows what is inside in the team. We showed togetherness today, we showed spirit and a lot of character.
“I think 2-0 here is a good result for the first leg and now we want to finish the second leg and to win as well again at home.
“Everyone knows that we lost the last four games and that was difficult for us. But as I said before, we showed togetherness today. It was important to be together and to show the people on the outside that we are a team. We showed a good game today.”
Let’s hope we can ‘show’ a good game on Sunday too when Troy Deeney’s Watford come to the Emirates. Another morale-boosting win would certainly be welcomed.
Character. Just wait till we get Brendan Rogers in, that’s his favourite word.
https://twitter.com/DeludedBrendan sums him up perfectly.
[and I’m not advocating doing it btw].
I feel a major yawn coming on caused by that xhaka statement
I think we should hold Rodgers Out banners just to makesure
Yes it was a great performance, continue the momentum lets finish the season in a high (hopefully with a trophy).
*DREAM* We win Europo league and Wenger leaves on a high
sometimes the Dreams can come true, hopefully my dream will come true
If we do win the europa league, I’d be very surprised if wenger left in the summer
Character indeed…. everybody shouting character here and there… If I may ask, where was the character when we were getting thumped by teams that are mediocre.
My point exactly in the ramsey news page
Glad to see us win yesterday but let’s not get carried away. The problems at this club are still there and they need solving.
Still terrified of what happens against the next team that decides to press us. We’ll be fucked all over again.
I realised he is the scapegoat player for the team’s failures but he is my favourite player. Also Ramsey is out of place in midfield, his knack for goal, his placement, left foot, right foot, header, he is a clear number 9, reminds me of RVP the scoundrel at times.
Seriously Ramsey as number 9 and he reminds you of RVP? Seriously? I seriously don’t know how to react. Oh My God!
No wonder you are a fan of Xhaka. Clueless you both are.
Granit has done better in recent games. Much improved.
BUT Ramsey is not a 9.
Ramsey, Mhkitaryan and Ozil are frankly fairly similar players.
We lack creative players with high technical ability out wide and we also lack pace without certain fullbacks out wide.
We lost 4 games… 1) a 2 legged tie which we qualified for, 2) a Cup final against Man City, 3) a game against Man City (possibly the best team in Europe at the moment) 4) against Brighton – 4 days before our only possible hope of a trophy. It is about perspective. Shouting we lost 4 games is pathetic and worthy of the Daily Mail. We won against Milan – surely the EL has to be the focus for the rest of the season? Why are so many more fussed about losing to Brighton in a comp we have… Read more »
Well said.
The fact that you’re justifying a reason for losing to Brighton, says a lot more than you can imagine! What will it take for you to realise things are bad?
The phrase ‘don’t put your eggs in one basket” comes to mind.
Unfortunately witht the BHA result (arguably several before) we have all our eggs now in the europa with Danny Welbeck leading the line.
Risky to say the least.
Because the overall picture is that this club is in a shit state which is evident by the way we’ve been losing vital games throughout the entire season.
The youth and u23 teams are doing very well and some young players have broken into the senior squad. Sure the first team is very inconsistent, but to say the club is in a shit state is incorrect….take time to watch the underage teams and then see what you think…
Some of this on Sunday
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NfUdoPtqrd4
(It’s the maniac challenge from Gabriel on Troy Deeney)
Much much improved performance by Granit.
He has been playing decent last 3 or 4 games despite the poor results.
Its positioning more than anythingelse he needs to understand.
The fight is there (if anything he has to curb it a little). He’s improved on timming of tackles and his incision in picking long balls for us going forward is essential forthis team particularly if teams press against our backline high.
He was good against Milan, but he can’t tackle. He’s done better since he stopping trying to.
In fact we don’t have a tackler in the team really, which is partly why teams walk through our midfield so easily.
when we beat a shit team we had togetherness confidence etc etc .. when we lose the next game there was no togetherness confidence etc etc … How does that work ??