The Switzerland midfielder is the club’s only major signing so far this summer.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told the Daily Mail that he believes they may have unearthed their next Emmanuel Petit in Granit Xhaka.
The midfielder is Arsenal’s only major signing so far this summer after joining in a big money move from Borussia Monchengladbach.
His arrival has been warmly welcomed by the club’s fans, who are hoping he can provide the strong midfield presence that has been sorely lacking from the Arsenal engine room for a number of years.
Leicester City’s Nampalys Mendy in action with Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka
Those supporters will have been encouraged by his performances so far, with him putting in a solid display in this weekend’s 3-1 win over Watford at Vicarage Road.
And it appears Wenger has been equally impressed, likening the Switzerland international to former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit.
“He is a guy who plays naturally behind the ball, he is a bit similar to Petit in the way he plays football,” he told the Daily Mail.
“Xhaka also has a good engine, good stature, he is good in the air and has a good balance in his game, he has a good short ball and a good long ball.”
Leicester City’s Shinji Okazaki in action with Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka
Arsenal will certainly be hoping that Xhaka can go on to prove an astute a signing as Petit proved to be, after the Frenchman made 116 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 11 goals and winning one league title.
Wenger’s men have been lacking a midfield presence for a number of years, with the likes of Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and company all failing to be the midfield leader that the best Gunners sides were built around.
Xhaka is looking like he can be that man, and will be keen to build on this strong start and help his side to success this year.
Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere waits to come on as manager Arsene Wenger looks on
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