Glenn Hoddle has praised Arsenal duo Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka for their link-up during Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Brentford on Sunday.
Arsenal’s man in-form, who scored his fourth Premier League goal against the Bees, was fed a ‘beautifully flighted ball’ by Xhaka to power home a brilliant header, which impressed Tottenham legend Hoddle, as he told Premier League Productions (18/09/22 at 2:05 pm).
After suffering a defeat last time out in the Premier League to Manchester United, this was a much better result and performance from the current leaders.
Last season, Arsenal fans were leaving Brentford, after the opening night of the 2021/22 season, questioning Mikel Arteta and his future at the club.
But fast forward to the present and this is a much-changed Arsenal side playing with swagger, speed and confidence, so much so that many believe they are going places.
Jesus and Xhaka have just been some of the stars of the show as Arteta hopes to write a Hollywood script for his supporters.
“The eye-contact between Jesus and Xhaka is beautiful,” said Hoddle. “It’s a great header.
He added after the game: “I thought they were excellent today. I thought this epitomised how Arsenal are playing and with the confidence they are playing.
“It was a beautifully flighted ball. We analysed the defensive side from Brentford, but don’t take anything away, it’s a lovely ball from Xhaka.
“They buy some time, when you get that sort of time and space in that area of the pitch, what they didn’t do against Manchester United, then they hurt Brentford.”
XHAKA SHOWCASING HIS WORTH
Over the years, Xhaka’s had his critics and he has taken some verbal beating, some much-deserved and others perhaps over the top.
But, for the past 18 months, he has been one of his side’s best players.
With Martin Odegaard injured, Xhaka was handed the captain’s armband against Brentford and he led his team in a brilliant fashion.
These days, he might no longer be the permanent skipper, but one thing is for sure, he will always be the leader without the armband.
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