Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said that Granit Xhaka is flying in training ahead of the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, as quoted in Football.London.
Xhaka will be part of the Arsenal matchday squad for the North London derby against Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The Switzerland international midfielder – who cost Arsenal £30 million when they signed him from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2016, as reported by Sky Sports at the time – has served his three-match suspension now.
Arsenal boss Arteta has spoken highly of the 28-year-old, and has disclosed that the midfielder has been flying in training.
Arteta told Football.London about Xhaka: “He came back and he was flying because he really looks after himself.
“He’s always training. As he always is he was giving the maximum and the best possible attitude to compete and win matches.”
Should Granit Xhaka start against Tottenham Hotspur?
Xhaka divides opinion among Arsenal fans, but he is a regular in the team under Arteta.
After all, the 28-year-old midfielder made 29 starts in the Premier League and played 10 times in the Europa League for the Gunners last season.
However, Arsenal have done well in the absence of Xhaka this season.
With Thomas Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga available for the North London derby and Xhaka not having played competitive football for a while, it would make sense for Arteta to leave the Swiss on the bench at the start of the match against Spurs.
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