Xhaka will ‘feel the love’ of fans again
MIKEL ARTETA reckons Arsenal fans will love seeing Granit Xhaka at full throttle next season when they are allowed back in The Emirates.
And the Gunners boss is equally sure his resurgent Switzerland star will relish the chance to showcase his loyalty – and ability – to a live audience.
Before coronavirus struck in March, Xhaka,
27, was dividing opinion among the North Londoners’ faithful.
His infamous public clash with the home fans when subbed against Crystal Palace in October had many wondering if he had a future at the club.
But while the signs were promising during the early days of Arteta’s reign, it has become glaringly obvious since the resumption that Xhaka is a vital part of his new-look Gunners.
His transformation in attitude epitomises the overall unity inside the dressing room.
And Xhaka has been able to flourish into the talent Arsenal paid
£30million for back in July 2016.
Certainly, Arteta is confident whatever problems existed between the fans and the former Borussia Monchengladbach playmaker will have been long forgotten by the time next season is underway.
The Gunners chief, whose side host relegation strugglers Watford this afternoon before facing Chelsea in Saturday’s FA Cup Final, said: “It will be great for them and him.
“When you’re on the pitch and you feel you have the fans supporting you and you feel their love, it’s immense the amount of energy and drive that produces in a football player. Granit is a player that when he commits, he goes 100 per cent.
“He’s worked really hard and has won everybody’s trust again.
“Hopefully he can now enjoy that when the fans are back in our stadium.”
As for the change in Xhaka’s form, Arteta says it stems from knowing he is a valued member of the club – and the new coach has total faith in him.
“I had a very high opinion of him and knew him really well when I arrived,” said the ex-Manchester City assistant boss.
“I had to convince him he had a future and a place here, that he could enjoy his career – and his family could be happy, too. He’s started to enjoy it again and normally, when you have those two aspects together, that’s when players perform at the highest level.”
After beating Liverpool and Manchester City back-to-back, Arteta’s cup finalists lost to Aston Villa last Tuesday. They have dropped 17 points this term against teams below them in the table. Arteta added: “We have to focus on being more consistent against any opponent.”