Granit Xhaka came to us as Switzerland’s star player and captain of Basle. He was very highly rated but was also known to get on the wrong side of referees for his rash challenges. He didn’t disappoint us in either respect!
Watch the highlights of his first season at Arsenal…..
I’m not too worried about his red cards
He can improve his challenges and behavior
Koscielny got two red cards his first season with us and he turned out great
Who will score goals for us next season…?
Lacazette ?
Xhaka was way below of Arsenal fans expectation last season. He loses the ball at key positions and he only uses his left foot. The problem for Arsenal in the holding mid-field position is that both Wenger’s choices, Xhaka and Ramsey were way below expectation. Elnany and Couqlin would be much better choice. Wenger was obligated to use Xhaka due to his sign up contract to give him first team play time. Ramsey failed to improve under Wenger, as a matter of fact he is getting worst for the last 2 seasons. Him and Theo might do better with a different coach at a different club. The sad thing at Arsenal is the talent of Elnany and Couqlin was wasted keeping them both on the bench, both have a potential to be world class players.
Lacazette on his way to Arsenal??
Lyon have signed Chelsea attacker Bertrand Traore for £16.75 million.
Doesn’t look as if Giroud will be heading to Lyon then?
West Ham are prepared to splash the cash in order to secure the £20million signing of Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud this summer, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper claim on their website that the Hammers are willing to offer the 30-year-old forward a wage of £130,000-a-week over four years to convince him to make the short move from the Emirates to the London Stadium.
The Mirror report that West Ham are “desperate” to push through the signing with a mega-money offer worth a total of £47million in transfer fee and salary.
It would be an increase on the £120,000 he currently earns at Arsenal, having signed a new deal in January, and would see him earn an initial £6.7million-a-year at the East London side.
Isnt Traore a winger..?
I’m not sure what we should do with Wilshere and Ramsey
Ramsey was poor for most of the season but seemed a lot better with new formation
We know about Wilshere’s injuries but Ramsey has actually had more different injuries than Wilshere. They are both injury prone.
I like them both though. Definitely Arsenal men. However, to keep Alexis and Ozil we could get plenty of money for them and reduce total wages
The main thing is Wenger loves them both and very unlikely sell them
Ramsey sat on the bench for most of the season.
So like I said lacazette lemar deal done.
Lyon have signed traore for around 20m.
My source is extremely reliable.
Justarsenal will ask me for transfer gossip from now on haha!
#Lacalemar
Was trying to think who Lacazette most reminds me of, it was a difficult one. Most players he reminded me of I had to think, well he has more power, and Lacazette has better ball control. Or if he was quicker or more agile, things like that. So I was only seeing some similarities. In the end, the player Lacazette most reminds me of …is Andrew Cole, the ex utd man. I think they are allot alike.
I did the same and around the box he reminds me of defo
I like Xhaka’s attitude to win the ball and the game. As he grows..we have a solid and technical player. Around him we can build the midfield. I think he is closest we have come to Viera in attitude.
Like the fella and started to grown into the role as the season progressed. Like the steal he gives the midfield and the fact he will stick his foot into the tackle, nut megged a spud and kicked a few as well. Good lad keep up the good work??? just keep one foot on the floor as the refs won’t put up with two footed tackles as you fly through the air.
There is a logic to Xhaka performance this season, he only played well in the games where Arsenal completely dominated the opposition, he definitely possesses some creativity in his game. I personally do not believe that is the job of a defensive midfielder to create goal scoring opportunities. Therefore, Mr Wenger did not buy him base on these credentials.
If you contrast his performance in the games where Arsenal had less possession, where he had to do the job of a true defensive midfielder, that is, chase the ball, close down the opposition, help his team play confidently from the back by coming out with the ball and taking on the one on one chase back toward his goal. Xhaka fail that test, this forces Mr Wenger to play two defensive midfielder Xhaka and Coquelin for virtually half the season.
Xhaka fragility is defending, his sluggish tackling, poor acceleration and lack of stamina suggest his going to be a big problem at Arsenal for the foreseeable future. Xhaka buy single-handedly destroy all chances Arsenal had of finishing into the top four. For the exception of a few long balls Xhaka possesses none of the defensive qualities Arsenal need.
He’s made good steady progress throughout season.
DIDnt start as the great player we hoped for. But worked hard. Got better. And started to cement his name on the team sheet
If he can improve his tackling. He’s long balls are excellent and can help us spring fast attack
Good- and getting better!
I my perception, Wenger from inception used Xhaka as a purely defensive midfielder. That was his undoing. That’s not what Xhaka is. In a way, he wass meant to be a tough tackling Santi Cazorla. Using him in a position which demanded his use of his toughness vis-a-vis tackling made for his red cards (though they were not all in defensive midfield positions. His real break came when Wenger realised his folly. He appears to be improving massively. I trust he would only get better