Arsenal optimistic over Petit-like signing Granit Xhaka
ARSENE WENGER believes he has unearthed the new Emmanuel Petit in £30 million signing Granit Xhaka.
The Switzerland international played a vital role for the Gunners as they secured their first Premier League win of the season.
And the 23-year-old is certain to play a central role for Wenger’s side as they look to mount a sustained title challenge.
Shielding the space in front of his back four, Xhaka, pictured, has a style of play which is unspectacular, but judging by his display at Vicarage Road, his capture from Borussia Monchengladbach looks like an astute move.
Petit played a similar role for Arsenal in the late 1990s, helping the club to a Premier League title and an FA Cup triumph. The similarities have not gone unnoticed by the Arsenal manager, who was extected to complete a £50m double deal for Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez yesterday.
If Wenger had had his way then Xhaka would have been at the Emirates during the January transfer window, but the Frenchman is happy to have his new midfield enforcer on board at last. “He is a guy who plays naturally behind the ball, he is a bit similar to Petit in the way he plays football,” Wenger said. “He likes to sit, give good long balls and be available to the centre backs.
“I believe he has a good mixture of short and long balls. In midfield it is important for us to sometimes stretch the defenders.
“We have a game that is based on shorter passes than that of other teams so sometimes you have a player who can kick the longer ball. It gives us a chance to get some oxygen and some space.
“Xhaka also has a good engine, good stature, he is good in the air and has a good balance in his game, he has a good short ball and a good long ball.
“He has experience of playing abroad and that is always helpful. It is more reassuring when a player has already played abroad somewhere. He was captain at Monchengladbach — that is not a small club so he has leadership qualities, too. He has big focus and I think he is mentally strong.”