Oleksandr Zinchenko has labelled Granit Xhaka a ‘warrior’ on his Instagram story after Arsenal secured a 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Say it quietly, but Arsenal are in a Premier League title race and their latest win against their London rivals was perhaps their biggest statement of intent yet.
During the Premier League era, only Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United have failed to win the title when on this many points (34) after 13 games.
If that isn’t going to make the Arsenal fans dream about the unthinkable, then nothing will.
One man that has been at the heart of it all was their rejuvenated midfielder and former captain, Xhaka.
Alongside Thomas Partey, the duo have built an outstanding partnership in the middle of the park and they complement the quick-thinking quality of Martin Odegaard in front of them.
POST-WORLD CUP TEST
This Arsenal side isn’t proven over a whole season and that’s why they will always be answering constant questions being asked of them as the season goes on.
But, post-2022 World Cup in Qatar, that’s when they will face their toughest test.
It was during the crunch moments of last season that they slipped up and missed out on Champions League football, but it seems to have done them the world of good.
Perhaps the January transfer window will help them, either way, if they are in and around Manchester City in March, then things could become very, very interesting.
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