Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka joined the club from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer.
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka admits he was very nervous and excited upon meeting Arsene Wenger for the first time ahead of his switch to the Emirates Stadium, the Mirror report.
The Switzerland international joined the Gunners from Borussia Monchengladbach in this summer – a deal which was widely praised by supporters with the need to bring in extra defensive midfield competition.
The £34 million addition looks at home in Arsenal’s midfield, yet upon meeting Wenger for the first time ahead of the switch to North London the talented midfielder seemingly wasn’t so relaxed.
Xhaka believes the Frenchman has an “insane charisma”, and admits to being nervous upon their first encounter.
“I felt pure excitement! I was really very nervous. He has an incredible way, an insane charisma. You look at him and know: ‘Wow, this man has achieved and experienced so much’. The respect for him is enormous,” the Swiss midfielder was quoted as saying by the Mirror.
Xhaka has plenty of competition for places at Arsenal, what with Francis Coquelin, Aaron Ramsey, Mohamed Elneny and Santi Cazorla all capable of playing in the holding midfield role.
However, the 23-year-old has slotted straight into the side, starting the 4-3 defeat to Liverpool on the bench, before going to on to play 73 minutes of 0-0 draw at Leicester City and the entire match of Arsenal’s recent 3-1 win at Watford.
He will no doubt add plenty of steel to the Gunners’ midfield, and should he reach his potential he may well be seen as one of Wenger’s better and most important signings over the past decade.
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