THE BEST & WORST OF GRANIT XHAKA: From Unai Emery pain to Man United glory
It is reasonable to say that Arsenal supporters have had a love-hate connection with Granit Xhaka.
As things stand, the Swiss international is popular among Arsenal supporters, having played a key role in Mikel Arteta’s title charge.
Xhaka is one of Arsenal’s longest-serving players, with just Mohamed Elneny – who arrived a few months earlier – remaining from the Arsene Wenger era.
During the 30-year-old’s seven-year sojourn in north London, there have been fireworks, arguments, tears, and, let us not forget, celebrations.
But all of that could change in the not-too-distant future.
According to reports in Germany, Xhaka is considering a summer move to Bayer Leverkusen for personal reasons.
With the midfielder’s contract approaching its end year, Gunners sporting director Edu is said to have cut his asking price in half.
Should Xhaka go, he will do so with the approval of Arsenal fans, an accomplishment that seemed unthinkable at one point.
AfricasNow has recreated the highs and lows of a turbulent seven years in north London.
Peak of Granit Xhaka
The FA Cup victory
Xhaka won a trophy in his rookie season, beginning with the FA Cup final victory over Chelsea in 2017.
While his league form was mediocre, with Arsenal failing to qualify for the Champions League, winning a record-breaking seventh FA Cup during Wenger’s leadership helped to ease the impact.
Only a few months later, the Swiss midfielder appeared in Chelsea’s Community Shield victory.
These early beginnings foreshadowed his future significance at the Emirates Stadium.
The Xhake resurgence
Every goal Granit Xhaka scored for Arsenal pic.twitter.com/Dg4oRqZLoe
— Zinger Parata (@zingerparata) January 4, 2024
Arteta’s hiring saved Xhaka’s career, as he gradually recovered Arsenal supporters’ faith.
In addition, the midfielder improved his game, demonstrating that he can play on the left side of a midfield three rather than just in a two-man pivot.
Xhaka quickly won his second FA Cup, defeating Chelsea in the final.
Under Arteta, the now 30-year-old has already played a crucial role in the Gunners being title contenders.
The goal of the season feat
Xhaka won the club’s goal of the season award last season after a powerful strike against Manchester United.
His 30-yard thunderbolt zipped past David de Gea to crush the Red Devils in a back-and-forth contest.
Xhaka is known for his fantastic goals, but this long-range missile is possibly his greatest in an Arsenal shirt.
The Lowest Of Granit Xhaka
The Surprising exit talk
As a result of the aftermath from armband-gate, Xhaka was linked with a move away.
Unsurprisingly, his relationship with the fans had reached an all-time low, and a transfer was on the cards.
Xhaka missed Arsenal’s next three games before returning against Norwich City almost a month later.
Despite playing the rest of the season, rumors of a possible exit dogged Arsenal’s season.
The Captain Armband controversy
Unai Emery appointed him captain in September 2019, but he was relieved of his duties just one month later.
When Xhaka was substituted, Arsenal fans celebrated, forcing him to erupt in retribution.
Before smashing his shirt on the floor, the midfielder unleashed a foul-mouthed outburst on his detractors.
Emery was left with no choice but to remove Xhaka’s armband.
Without a doubt, his lowest point as an Arsenal player.
Xhaka the Red-Card merchant
I will take Granit Xhaka bact to Arsenal again. We missed him as much. pic.twitter.com/5VBTbtuVY2
— Segun Oni (@SegunOni1034689) January 5, 2024
On occasion, one positive aspect of Xhaka’s playing can be interpreted as a negative.
There is no doubting that the Swiss midfielder is one of the most ferocious in the Premier League, as evidenced by his disciplinary record.
His sixth red card for Arsenal came against Liverpool in last year’s Carabao Cup semi-final.
Xhaka has also received 76 yellow cards in 294 games, a rate of 0.26 per game.
THE BEST & WORST OF GRANIT XHAKA: From Unai Emery pain to Man United glory
