Thierry Henry has stated that Granit Xhaka has become a ‘better’ player for Arsenal and he no longer makes the mistakes he used to in front of his side’s defence, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (25/10/22 at 7:25 pm).
That’s a big change from what Henry used to previously think about the 30-year-old, who was stripped of the captain’s armband in 2019.
Less than a year after those unfortunate events against Crystal Palace, former France international Patrice Evra shared that he went to Henry’s house and they decided to watch an Arsenal game, only for the legendary striker to turn off his TV because Xhaka was the skipper, as he told Sky Sports in 2020.
Those comments from Evra back then were probably uncalled for and they shouldn’t have been made public, even if the Gunners were struggling under Mikel Arteta, at the time, and Xhaka was having another off-moment.
But, the £30 million player’s (Sky Sports) redemption story is quite something because he is now one of the first names on the teamsheet and a big reason why the Gunners are sitting at the top of the Premier League table.
Henry has now spoken in a positive fashion about the hard-hitting midfielder and what he is doing differently to try and get the best out of his game.
“Now, Xhaka is better, why?” asked Henry. “Because he doesn’t make the mistakes he used to in front of the defence and he plays higher.
“And he scores goals now, why? Because he is more often in the box.”
CAN ARSENAL GO ALL THE WAY?
The trophies aren’t given out in October, but whether it’s this season or the following campaign, can Arsenal do the unthinkable and lift the Premier League title under Mikel Arteta?
What a sight it would be if Xhaka was to lift that trophy because it would be the turnaround of all turnarounds.
From being a disgraced captain to becoming a club legend, it’s possible that will happen to Xhaka because his team are showing serious signs that they mean business.
After years and years of struggle, this Arsenal side is playing the best football it has since Henry himself was taking to the field under their legendary coach, Arsene Wenger.
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