Granit Xhaka has claimed he would not be at Arsenal any longer if Mikel Arteta had not been appointed head coach.
The Swiss international was linked with a move away from the club ahead of the January transfer window, with the club struggling to find any kind of form under Unai Emery or Freddie Ljungberg earlier in the campaign.
The team has since made major improvements, and Xhaka has returned to playing a key role in the side, and he admits that had the Spaniard not taken over the reigns, he would have quit the club.
“One thing is certain: I wouldn’t be in London without him,” he said. “He was the decisive factor, with his philosophy, with his style, with his idea. I am really grateful to him for that.
“I am indulging Mikel Arteta with [the FA Cup] victory. It gives him confidence and a certain security.
“We players saved a strange season with the last possible qualification for international business. I don’t want to imagine how the reactions would have been if we had missed the Europa League.”
The 28 year-old is also in awe of the signings which the club has made thus far, claiming the club’s business this summer show a clear intention that they want to fight to get back into the Champions League.
“With Willian and Gabriel, Arsenal brought a lot of quality and mentality into the dressing room,” Xhaka told the Swiss Telegraphic Agency (via Football.London). “Willian knows how to win titles.
“And the extension with Aubameyang was an important signal for all of us – we want to go back to the Champions League.”
Xhaka’s comments come weeks after defender Gabriel Magalhaes revealed that he made the decision to join the club after speaking to the manager about his philosophy, and that the Spaniard played a key role in convincing him to move to North London, when speaking to Arsenal Media for the first time after completing his move.
Everything we hear and see from Arteta’s arrival as coach has been amazing so far, but how far can he take us? Will the club backup the manager with the midfield signing he craves?
Patrick
Think it’s plain to see that Arteta has that Wenger effect on players .
So glad we got him
When we did because if Emery had been aloud to carry on we would be in a right mess now ,as it is we look on the up big time and it’s great to be a fan again .
There are pluses and minuses to everything. LOL
Leicester just thrashed City at the Ethiad.
Arteta clearly has vision. Kind of like Wenger in his early years.
Xhaka has improved, but hopefully we can move him on next summer with the plausible arrivals of Aouar and Partey/DM.
8 days until window closes.. it looks we’re going to panic sell our players for much less than they’re actually worth..
which of these players that you claim AFC are attempting
to panic sell would even fetch a transfer fee in the last
week of the window?
Mustafi…injured
Chambers…injured
Kola….loan only interest
Socratis…looking for a free move
Guendouzi…loan only interest
Torreria…loan only interest
Laca and HB are the only players that MA
might reluctantly consider moving on but even
there evaluations have suffered in this Covid market.
Truth hurts but AFC may have to take whatever they
can if any offers come in for Mustafi, CC, Kola and
Socratis. LT and MG may be spared or moved out on
loan if an obligation to buy is reached.
I would like us to keep Mustafi and Chambers, they really upped their game before they got injured, and they’re both close to returning. I forget we have Mari most times, he hasn’t really been able to show us what he’s got due to the injuries….. we can let go of Holding, Kolasinac, Sokratis, Guendouzi and Torreira.
Our list of CB should look like this after the sales;
Luiz, Gabriel, Saliba, Mari, Mustafi, Chambers. Which isn’t bad, given our injury records, besides none of them would get complacent believing his position in the squad is secured.
I should say this now, Jorginho is not an outright Arsenal’s target.
It would’ve happened if Chelsea would agree to a swap.
Arteta doesn’t see Jorginho as his midfi priority or solution.
He’s meant to be Xhaka’s competition.
Ignore any news saying he’s Arsenal’s target. He’s not.
If Arsenal don’t get Partey, the next on their list is Soumare, followed by Diawara and this midfield guy from Porto(Pereira or so, I’m not sure).
If Chelsea would do a swap, Jorginho would be taken as Xhaka’s competition, every position on the pitch currently have enough competition apart from Xhaka’s DLP role.
That being said, Jorginho is not bing chased by Arsenal. Rubbish that rumor
Xhaka should focus more on the game.
He should improve on his tackle, speed, passes defence and shots.
He is not arsenal quality by any standard. He is only getting some playing time because arteta is yet to get his dream mid fielders.
That’s not true. And if Partey comes you will still see Xhaka starting. Wenger, Emery, Arteta have all rated him and stuck by him and he’s a crucial part of our squad.
Well said RSH, I even think
Xhakas game could even
flourish with a Partey/
Soumare type protecting the
back 4.
And no big club wanted that xhaka when he wanted to go, arteta is holding to him coz he has no better choice
You people always. trash Xhaka and undervalue him but thanks Arsene Wenger, Emery and MA see him differently.
AM, UM and MA all saw him as the first on their team sheet, meaning he’s got something special.
Anytime he’s not in the team you see something missing. You don’t value his contribution till he’s out. He’ll always be first on the team sheet. His height, his passes especially the long ones can’t be missed. Check him in Liverpool tomorrow
Arsenal average less than one point per game when Xhaka doesn’t start. Almost two points per game when he starts.
By all means pine away for something better but in the meantime be grateful for the job he does for us. I agree with comments above, Xhaka will still start a fair share of games even if Partey comes.
Since he came to our team i can’t remember arsenal playing in champion league, is not an arsenal standard player we should have known that by now, barca, Madrid, Liverpool or man city didn’t come for him when he wanted to go, someone remind us what team wanted him….
For me xhaka, is not bad at all but there’s still room for improvement, can’t wait to see our targeted players to come on board, if that transfer pulls through we can match up with any team.
Xhaka is not bad at all,if we get Partey,they’ll play together.