Ally McCoist has been impressed with Granit Xhaka and believes the midfielder has essentially come back from the dead at Arsenal.
McCoist was speaking on Amazon Prime Video (22min) and shared his admiration for Xhaka.
“He’s been a revelation, that fella, in forward areas,” said McCoist. “What a comeback that is, that’s some story, Xhaka. I thought he was away, I thought he was dead and buried here, to his eternal credit he’s got his sleeves rolled up, now he’s having a great season,” he added.
The Scot is clearly referring to the scenes towards the back end of 2019.
Xhaka was substituted for Bukayo Saka against Crystal Palace in October 2019 and Arsenal fans started ironically cheering him off.
When the Swiss ace appeared to be going off too slowly, the noise turned to very pointed jeers and boos; Xhaka responded by cupping his hand to his ear.
Club captain at the time, Xhaka went straight down the tunnel and some felt that his position at Arsenal was pretty much untenable.
It’s easy to forget that Xhaka had actually agreed terms with Hertha Berlin and was nearing a return to Germany, but the deal collapsed.
Xhaka has moved past that drama and now has the support of Arsenal fans, who have seen him given a new lease of life under Mikel Arteta.
Granit Xhaka may still be replaced at Arsenal this summer
McCoist is bang right; Xhaka’s story is incredible and the way he has effectively saved his Arsenal career is a credit to him.
Xhaka has been given so much freedom by Mikel Arteta and playing in a high and wide role appears to suit him well – at least more so than playing deep.
However, Arsenal appear to be moving forward rapidly under Arteta and there is still a real chance that Xhaka is replaced this summer.
It’s unlikely that Arsenal will sell Xhaka but they could splash the cash on a couple of midfielders with both Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo wanted.
Both players have the ability to play in Xhaka’s role and that may just see the 30-year-old come in and out of the team a little more.
That may seem harsh, but Arsenal have to seize this period – and that may mean bringing in an upgrade on Xhaka even despite his improvement.
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