Kevin Campbell told the Same Old Arsenal Podcast that Granit Xhaka was his side’s ‘best player’ against Crystal Palace even though he ‘shouldn’t even be in the side’.
Arsenal recorded a dull goalless draw against Palace on Thursday night, with Xhaka dealing with the opposition attacking threat, including key man Wilfried Zaha.
Xhaka is a marmite-like figure in North London, but it’s fair to say that the majority of fans lean towards seeing the £35 million man [BBC Sport] as a negative.
But former Highbury favourite and Sky Sports pundit Campbell thinks that it ‘sums things up’ for Arsenal that Xhaka was their best performer in midweek.
“Our best player [against Palace] was Granit Xhaka,” said Campbell. “For me, he shouldn’t even be in the side. That tells you have a major problem.
“If Xhaka is our best player [against Palace], it sums things up. We cannot keep relying on the kids. Yes, they are talented. We need new blood in and we need creative players. People with a better attitude.”
Creativity was the keyword once again for Arsenal, as they dropped more points on home soil.
Whilst Emile Smith-Rowe is a highly-rated talent, it’s still pretty early in his career and he will have off-days as he did against Palace.
Either those in the Arsenal boardroom need to bring that creative performer or the club remain patient with Smith-Rowe’s development.
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