‘Absolutely’: Mikel Arteta says Arsenal man was handed huge boost by what Gunners fans did during Brentford game

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the club’s official website and says Granit Xhaka was handed a huge boost by what Gunners fans did during the Brentford game.

Arteta’s men bounced back from their setback at Old Trafford superbly yesterday with a commanding 3-0 win at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Goals from William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus put Arsenal two goals to the good within half an hour.

A superb long-range effort by Fabio Vieira on his full Premier League debut wrapped up an impressive win. But Arteta has spoken about Granit Xhaka’s performance from central midfield.

The 29-year-old has worn the captain’s armband for the last two games. The Swiss midfielder was previously stripped of the Arsenal captaincy after an outburst towards the Gunners faithful back in November 2019.

But Xhaka has revived his Arsenal career and become a fans favourite once again. And Arteta feels this has given the player a huge boost.

Xhaka handed huge boost by Gunners fans

Speaking to Arsenal’s official website, Arteta explained how the Arsenal fans helped Xhaka to become a leader on the pitch yesterday.

“Absolutely [on Xhaka leading yesterday], and he was demanding it as well,” Arteta said.

“I think he feels now that love and respect both ways. You see our supporters, the way they were singing to him as well, emotionally that makes him try to give even more.

“I’m really pleased for him because in my opinion he really deserves it.”

The Gunners boss also feels that Xhaka has become more consistent this season due to his experiences as a player.

He added: “His consistency, and how he goes about every day. What he’s learnt in different moments of his career, whether here or with the national team.

“Also his willingness always to stay humble, to look forward and try to get better and when you do that, normally good things happen.”

Xhaka set-up Jesus for Arsenal’s second goal of the game yesterday and continued his brilliant start to the new season.

The Arsenal midfielder has started every Premier League game under Arteta and is arguably in the best form of his career.