Arsenal fans have been on a fair few rocky roads in recent times.
From Arsene Wenger’s departure to Mikel Arteta’s arrival, many players have passed through the club’s doors and entertained, as well as frustrated, in their masses.
Whilst Wenger and Unai Emery weren’t confrontational in cleaning the mess at the club, Arteta didn’t mess about and he booted out whoever crossed the line.
The brutal exits of Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are prime examples of that, but there are others who survived, perhaps to the surprise of others.
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One of them included a certain Granit Xhaka, who at one stage was taking his Arsenal shirt off in anger during an infamous moment against Crystal Palace and his career at the club looked over.
The now-Bayer Leverkusen star, who left the Emirates last summer, survived that and proceeded to turn his fortunes around at Arsenal.
Roy Keane stated that Xhaka was ‘inconsistent’ during his time in the Premier League and he had ‘one or two problems with his discipline’, as he told ITV Sport.
The Manchester United legend was amazed by the Bundesliga title winner at Euro 2024 and how he was ‘the best player on the pitch’ as Switzerland knocked Italy out of the tournament.
The Italians are the reigning champions, but they were outclassed by the Swiss and now they have booked a quarter-final ticket against England.
Roy Keane praises ex-Arsenal star Granit Xhaka at Euro 2024
“When I look at the important parts of the pitch, they have men,” said Keane. “They have experienced men who know the game inside out. They have had top careers.
“Switzerland were outstanding and it’s going to be a really difficult game for England – Xhaka was brilliant, honestly. You talk about Toni Kroos, and these people, keep the team ticking over.
“But Xhaka was outstanding. The best player on the pitch by a mile (against Italy). We knew he was a good player. Just never knew what level he was going to get. Inconsistent at Arsenal and he had one or two problems with his discipline. But he has matured really well.”
Granit Xhaka is one of Europe’s best midfielders
You have to give Xhaka credit where it’s due because he has turned his career around in some ways during these past few years.
It wasn’t so long ago that he was getting mocked and ridiculed for his performance. Then he had issues with not being able to stay on the pitch.
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But now, he is one of the best midfielders in Europe, as he proved during Leverkusen’s stunning title win in Germany and now Switzerland’s run at Euro 2024.
Declan Rice entered the Arsenal doors when Xhaka left, but the two will now meet one another on Saturday for a very tricky last-eight clash for Gareth Southgate’s side after England’s lucky win over Slovakia.
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