Jamie Redknapp has praised Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka for showing ‘nerves of steel’ during his side’s 4-2 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
The build-up to Emile Smith Rowe’s goal was a thing of beauty because it started off in Arsenal’s own penalty area.
After winning the ball back from Timo Werner, Xhaka carried the ball out of his area, nutmegged Marcos Alonso along the way and proceeded to find Martin Odegaard in the middle of the pitch.
That move, also involving Bukayo Saka, was then finished by Smith Rowe on the edge of the area, after he guided the ball with perfection into the bottom corner.
Xhaka’s nutmeg was highlighted by Redknapp, as he praised the hard-hitting midfielder for showcasing his cool during such a highly-pressured moment, as he told Sky Sports Premier League.
“Holding took a risk there,” said Redknapp. “Granit Xhaka has nerves of steel there. A little nutmeg on Marcos Alonso.
“Then they are free. Great movement by Odegaard. He sets up the pass between the lines. Then they are moving.
“Chelsea are then reeling, Saka comes inside, he spots that pass to Odegaard and Loftus Cheek sleeps for a second and doesn’t see Smith Rowe on the back of him. And then the finish is gorgeous. It’s a thing of beauty.”
With Thomas Partey missing because of injury, Mikel Arteta has had to deal with a big hole in the middle of his pitch.
Previously, Albert Sambi Lokonga was the man selected to play alongside Xhaka, with the Swiss captain also being used as a left-back.
But, against Chelsea, it was the experienced Mohamed Elneny who came into the affray, as he and Xhaka bossed proceedings in West London.
This is perhaps a pairing that Arteta should have picked as soon as Partey was unable to play because it worked a treat last night.
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