Kevin Campbell has spoken glowingly about Granit Xhaka and how the rejuvenated midfielder has ‘silenced’ the Arsenal fanbase that was once critical of him.
It was put to Campbell that he once wanted Xhaka sold by Arsenal, but he has now changed his mind and added ‘credit where it’s due’ for the former captain’s change in form.
Mikel Arteta has pushed Xhaka further up the field this season, the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko has allowed that to happen and the £35 million star is flourishing (BBC Sport).
It wasn’t so long ago when Xhaka was wearing the captain’s armband and he was being heckled off by his own fans against Crystal Palace.
Yet, fast forward to more recent times, and on Thursday, in Xhaka’s homeland, he was given the captain’s armband with not a single word of criticism from fans, oh how times have changed for the 29-year-old.
Campbell loves the change in performances in the player, not just from this season, but from the previous campaign, as he praised his turnaround, whilst speaking to the Highbury Squad.
“With Zinchenko being at the football club, we have seen another dimension to Granit Xhaka’s play,” said Campbell. “He has been higher up the pitch. Making moves and scoring goals in the opposition box like never before.
“There is one way to silence the fanbase and get them on your side, and that’s to play well. You play well and all the old beefs, grudges and worries that you had before, then people start to say ‘I have to take my hat off to him’.
“He’s been having a very good season. There is no way he wasn’t going to play against FC Zurich, especially with it being in Switzerland, that’s for sure. He wants to be there. Credit where it’s due.
“Do we lack some bits and pieces? Yes, but most teams do. However, Granit Xhaka has been a plus for us this season, like many others.”
XHAKA, THE LEADER WITHOUT THE ARMBAND
Martin Odegaard is the man who replaced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as full-time skipper this summer, with Xhaka being the leader without the armband.
It’s a role that suits him best, but most importantly, it serves Arsenal better.
For 18 months now, Xhaka has been at the top of his game and one of his side’s best players, but they haven’t reached their goal of returning to Champions League football.
If they do that this term, then a player like Xhaka’s reputation will only sky-rocket with the fans and someone like Arteta does deserve credit for how he has changed things around.
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