Owen Hargreaves has admitted that he thought Granit Xhaka would be the first player that Mikel Arteta was going to get ‘rid of’ at Arsenal.
When Arteta walked through the Arsenal doors as the manager in 2019, there was pure chaos around him, including a team stagnating at a fast rate.
Someone in the main spotlight was the recently-stripped captain Granit Xhaka, who had one foot out of the exit door, only for Arteta to change the 30-year-old’s mind.
It has probably been one of the best calls Arteta has made because, fast forward to the present, and he is now a key member of this thriving Arsenal side.
Yes, you can never take away that aggression and, at times, rash nature to Xhaka’s game, but he’s added goals to his game now and a sense of composure to the final third.
Former England international Owen Hargreaves labelled the transformed midfielder as a ‘smart’ footballer and he is now glad that he stayed in north London, as he told Premier League Productions (29/10/22 at 1:50 pm).
“The numbers are undeniable,” said Hargreaves. “Before, he played in front of the back four on his own. I think he played there because he’s not that quick or explosive.
“But he’s a smart footballer. That’s what he played at Gladbach. He played further forward. I think, to bounce back the way he did, with the Arsenal fans, says a lot about him. You only really know a player when things are really difficult and he has had it as difficult as you can get with your own fans. He has come back flying.
“Mikel picks him all the time. You think about all the players Mikel has got rid of. Aubameyang and all these different guys.
“The fans thought he would have been the first guy he would have got rid of. But he stayed there because he trusts him and he is reliable. I am delighted for him – I think he is going to be there for a while.”
ARTETA’S RUTHLESS CALLS
During Arteta’s time as Arsenal’s manager, he made some big, yet ruthless calls that have annoyed many, but proven to be correct down the line.
Keeping Xhaka on board was the first, then booting Mesut Ozil out of the door which, at the time, was met with criticism.
Well, that was a masterstroke because of who is thriving in Arsenal colours now, such as the likes of Martin Odegaard.
Then there was the call to axe Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as captain last season – a player he is set to face at the weekend – once again, it’s proven to be the correct call.
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