‘Time was up’: Alan Shearer genuinely thought ace’s Arsenal career was over

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Speaking on the Premier League website, Alan Shearer has been naming his Team of the Season so far.

The Match of the Day pundit has been full of praise for Arsenal all season long, and understandably, he’s found space for a few Gunners stars in his team.

Granit Xhaka was chosen to anchor Shearer’s midfield after an incredibly bright start this term, and Shearer, like many others, has been taken aback by the Swiss international’s upturn in form.

Indeed, Shearer says that he genuinely believed that Xhaka’s time at Arsenal was over at one point, but now he says he’s one of the driving forces in this side.

Shearer hails Xhaka

The pundit gave Xhaka a glowing review after a bright start to this season.

“The first one is Granit Xhaka. The way he has returned to form under Mikel Arteta in this Arsenal team when many, including myself, thought his time was up. The way he’s come back into there, he’s shown great leadership qualities and he’s really driving that Arsenal team forward,” Shearer said.

Back from the dead

Xhaka’s return to form has been the greatest comeback story since Lazarus.

The midfielder’s Arsenal career looked to be dead in the water at one point. His ill-discipline had seen the fanbase turn on him, he was in poor form and Roma were knocking on the door to sign him.

However, a transfer didn’t come to fruition in the end, and, in all honesty, that’s probably the biggest stroke of luck Arsenal have had in some time because Xhaka has looked like a totally different player this season.