Xhaka says Gunners will get fired up by criticism
GRANIT XHAKA insists Arsenal will be motivated by the criticism levelled at them following their historically bad start to the season.
The Gunners lost 2-0 at home to Chelsea on Sunday as Romelu Lukaku marked his second Blues debut with a goal before Reece James wrapped up a deserved victory for the visitors.
That followed an opening-day defeat at newly promoted Brentford by the same scoreline as Arsenal endured their worst-ever start to a league campaign.
Xhaka, who signed a new deal with the club before the start of the season despite being heavily linked with a move to Italy, admits things need to improve as the squad look to prove the doubters wrong.
‘Of course,’ the Switzerland midfielder replied when asked if the team are motivated by criticism.
‘A lot of people try to speak and to kill a little bit the players and the team but the strongest thing to do at the moment is to be together, and only together will we be stronger and give the results on the pitch.
‘We want to achieve something big here, of course. After two games a lot of people are speaking about this team and about this club but I will say, no season finishes after two or three games.
‘We still have games in front of us, we know we have to improve a lot of things and I’m sure we will do that.’ Xhaka captained Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, a big turnaround from being stripped of the armband by Unai Emery following an outburst at supporters and then appearing set for a transfer to Roma just weeks ago.
However, Xhaka insists he was delighted to commit his long-term future to the club as they attempt to rebuild under Mikel Arteta.
‘I am very happy I’m still here,’
We want to achieve something big – no season finishes after two games
added the 28-year-old. ‘I’ve signed a new contract of course and I want to give back, first of all to our staff, and then after to our fans.
‘They know I will give everything – in every game and every training session. So yeah, I think we have to show that as a team soon.’
There has been some good news for the Gunners, though, with the announcement summer friendlies played between London rivals Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, raised £228,064 for Mind, the UK’s leading mental health charity.