Mikel Arteta believes Granit Xhaka is a key reason behind Arsenal’s greater solidity and identified him as “phenomenal”.
Since returning from the suspension sustained by the red card he got against Burnley on 13 December, Xhaka has been impressive. after he lost his composure and grabbed Ashley Westwood by the throat his dismissal came at 0-0 and it saw him pilloried on social media, and not for the first time after Arsenal had sunk to a 1-0 loss.
Arteta said according to The Guardian: “After the red card and with the history that he had, he was in a difficult place and we had to try and bring him back where we believe he can be and where he should be – which is being one of the leaders of the team and giving us stability and the presence he can provide to the team and to the club.
“I think since he’s been back he’s been phenomenal; he’s playing really, really well. Against Palace, he had some really important moments and he’s still young. He’s still a player who can evolve. It’s great for us to have him back.”
