Michael Owen has praised six Arsenal players, Aaron Ramsdale, William Saliba, Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus, as he told Premier League Productions (09/10/22 at 9:45 pm).
The former England striker claimed that Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is a ‘different man’, Aaron Ramsdale has been a ‘sensation’ in between the sticks, whilst William Saliba is just ‘out of this world’.
This comes after Mikel Arteta’s side sent out a statement of intent when they beat Liverpool 3-2 to move back to the top of the Premier League table on Sunday.
All of those players started at the Emirates, with Martinelli getting on the scoresheet and Arsenal’s captain without the armband – Xhaka – producing another outstanding display.
Whilst those players are rightfully getting a mention, the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu also deserve their flowers.
When so many players are getting bigged up, then you know a lot of things are going right and that’s why they are sitting top of the Premier League table, as Owen shared his own thoughts.
“They have some really good players in there,” said Owen. “The goalkeeper has been a sensation. Saliba has been out of this world. Xhaka is a different man. Partey is unbelievable. Martinelli, wow! What a player. Jesus, we all knew he was a very good player and he looks top-class.
“Right through the team. They are top-class and they are here to stay.”
XHAKA IS A TRANSFORMED FIGURE
One of the stories of the last 18 months in north London has been the rejuvenation of their former captain because he has been inspirational in the middle of the park.
As the Arsenal All or Nothing documentary showcased, the 30-year-old is a very popular figure and someone who does a lot for his teammates off the pitch.
Martin Odegaard might don the armband for Arteta now, but sometimes, it’s those who aren’t wearing it that are as important.
And in Xhaka’s case, that’s exactly what is happening because he is proving to be one of the first names on the teamsheet now.
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