Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised Granit Xhaka ahead of Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool.
Speaking to football.london, the Gunners boss spoke of what has led to the midfielder adding goals to his repertoire.
Arteta said Xhaka’s mentality helped as things just “clicked” as he worked towards improving himself in training.
The £35million midfielder was quick out of the blocks at the start of the season.
He registered two goals and two assists in the opening weeks of the campaign, but this soon fizzled out.
Now, ahead of Sunday’s match, Xhaka has four goals and one assist in his last five games for club and country.
“It clicked,” Arteta told football.london when asked about what had changed with Xhaka.
“Mentality. Feeling capable of doing it, understanding where he needs to be positioned in the right moments.
“Training every single day willing to improve and support the team in the areas that we felt was necessary for the team to take another step forward in our way of playing.”
Our view
Xhaka has had quite an eventful time at Arsenal.
From losing the captain’s armband and nearly leaving the club to becoming an essential player, he has seen it all.
It’s great to see him add goals and assists to his repertoire, another thing that’s clicking for Arsenal this season.
Up next for Arsenal is Liverpool away, a massive game for Arteta and his charges.
Obviously the title race has some way to go, and a lot can change, with Manchester City also in fine form.
However, beating a dangerous Liverpool side at Anfield would go a long way towards that first title since 2004.
Hopefully Xhaka can get himself another goal contribution or two against a Reds team that can be devastating on their day.
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