Mikel Arteta has hailed Granit Xhaka as ‘phenomenal’ having predicted that he would score against Crystal Palace this afternoon.
The Gunners were at their blistering best once again this afternoon as they beat London neighbours Palace 4-1.
Gabriel Martinelli got the ball rolling before Bukayo Saka added a second.
Xhaka made it 3-0 and whilst Palace did pull one back through Jeffrey Schlupp, Saka restored the three-goal advantage and secured a big win.
Arsenal now sit eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table and have taken another big step towards the title.
Mikel Arteta raves about Granit Xhaka
Saka is understandably claiming most of the plaudits after two goals and one assist against Palace.
Yet Mikel Arteta also had huge praise for another goalscorer in Granit Xhaka.
Fans will remember facing Palace at home in 2019, the game in which Xhaka clashed with fans and appeared to be done as an Arsenal player.
The £120,000-a-week midfielder has now completely changed the narrative around his Arsenal career and has been indispensable this season.
Xhaka added another goal to his tally against Palace, taking his total for the season to four goals and five assists in 28 Premier League games.
The 30-year-old has been a changed player under Arteta and the Spaniard has now heaped praise on Xhaka.
Arteta has told Football London that he actually told Xhaka before the game that he would find the net against Palace.
Arteta’s prediction was proven right and he hailed Xhaka for believing in himself and getting in the right areas to score.
The Arsenal boss also praised Xhaka’s attitude to training whilst branding him ‘phenomenal’ for his performances this season.
“Believing again,” said Arteta. “Getting in the right positions, believing the ball is going to land there and then being clinical. I told him today ‘you’re going to score again’ because when you have that mindset and you are there and you see the way he’s training, good things are going to happen. He’s been phenomenal all season,” he added.
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