Darren Bent has claimed that Granit Xhaka is ‘loved’ by the Arsenal players in the dressing room, as he told talkSPORT.
Despite that, the former striker thinks that Xhaka is still an ‘issue’ for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and a ‘liability’ out on the pitch.
Signed by the north London club in 2016 for £30 million when Arsene Wenger was in charge (Sky Sports), Xhaka has been a marmite-like figure at the club from the get-go.
On one hand, he is very committed, will never shy away from anything and is picked by every manager that takes to the dugout.
But, on the other hand, he has a reckless nature to his game and there is a lack of trust in him when he is out on the pitch.
Either way, boyhood Arsenal fan, Bent, thinks that the Xhaka situation is something that needs to be looked at.
“I know that the Xhaka thing is an issue,” said Bent. “By all accounts, he is a great guy in the dressing room. The players seem to love him.
“But on the pitch, he is a bit of a liability. He (Arteta) needs to look at the scenario.”
After rumours that Jose Mourinho wanted to bring him to Roma last summer, Xhaka stayed put, and instead, signed a new deal.
In truth, for once, that was probably Arsenal making the right call in the boardroom because that protects Xhaka’s value.
So, come the summer, if Mourinho is still keen on him, the Gunners can probably get what they want for the player.
Either way, Arsenal fans won’t be fussed too much if their former captain is now in the final season at the club.
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