Lee Dixon has suggested that Granit Xhaka doesn’t have a weaker foot following his goal during Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Southampton on Sunday, as he told MatchDay Extra on Premier League Productions (23/10/22 at 7:10 pm).
The Highbury legend praised Ben White for his ‘beautiful’ cross that saw Granit Xhaka open the scoring with a first-time shot, with his right foot, from inside the penalty area.
Despite previously displaying his thunderbolt of a left foot on the Premier League stage, Xhaka has now, in back-to-back games, showcased that he has much more in his locker.
That’s four goals Xhaka now has to his name this season in all competitions – during the past three seasons he had only managed three.
That change of form is a credit to Mikel Arteta because he is asking the former Arsenal captain to push further forward and allow his attacking play to do the talking.
Either way, whilst fans would have been annoyed with Stuart Armstrong’s equaliser in the second half, Dixon was impressed with how his former side opened the scoring.
“Ben White, who has been playing at right-back, it was a beautiful pull back to Xhaka on his weaker right foot,” said Dixon. “It doesn’t look weak from that angle.
“He catches it right on the half volley and it’s a beautifully worked goal.”
ARSENAL STILL SURGING FORWARD
To think that Arsenal have only dropped points in two games this season, yet yesterday’s draw at St Mary’s felt like a defeat for the team.
It just goes to show how far they have come this season because, despite that point, they are still sitting at the top of the Premier League table.
They are two points ahead of second-placed Manchester City – the duo have played a game less on the other team in the top-four, including Tottenham and Newcastle United.
Eddie Howe’s side beat Spurs in north London yesterday to move into the Champions League places and continue their fine start to the season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
