For a large part of this summer it seemed as if Granit Xhaka might be Arsenal’s only major singing. Thankfully for Gooners this wasn’t the case, but the Swiss international has spoken at length about his experiences at his new club.
Speaking to Swiss publication Appenzeller Zeitung, Xhaka spoke in glowing terms about his new manager Arsene Wenger and the calibre of his new teammates.
Arsenal bought Xhaka for £34 million from Borussia Monchengladbach in May, and the authoritative midfielder has impressed so far.
“He has an incredible way, an insane charisma. You look at him and know: ‘Wow, this man has achieved and experienced so much’. The respect for him is enormous,” said Xhaka of Wenger.
“I have to admit that in the first few days there was an undeniable nervousness. You can see the players are world class just by the way they pass the ball. Ozil, Sanchez and Cazorla for example, are huge personalities.”
Xhaka is well on his way to establishing himself as an integral member of the team, on a par with the players he mentioned, and was particularly impressive in Arsenal’s 3-1 win at Watford.
Chronology matters when it comes to the transfer window, and because Xhaka was bought so early in the window he was slightly ‘under the radar’ by the time the season kicked off.
Neither Wenger nor Xhaka will be too worried that people’s’ attention is focused on other clubs and other players, allowing him to settle in at his own pace.
More information is emerging that Arsenal blocked an advance from Roma on Deadline Day to take Jack Wilshere on a season long-loan.
Wilshere has been on the receiving end of some criticism for staying in England, but according to The Daily Mail he was keen on a move to the Italian capital.
However, Arsenal were concerned about the number of first team opportunities available at Roma who have Kevin Strootman, Daniele de Rossi and Radja Nainggolan.
Finally, Wenger has opened up on the decision to let Thierry Henry leave the club rather than take on a full-time coaching position.
Henry has just been named as Belgium’s assistant manager, but Wenger said his TV punditry with Sky Sports but Arsenal’s all-time leading goalscorer.
“There was a lot of debate about Thierry Henry not staying here,” Wenger said.
“I think Thierry Henry has done an exceptional job here but it is an uncomfortable position for him.
“He agreed that it was not easy for him to deal with talking about Arsenal during the weekend and then coming in.
“You want him to be free from his statements and it’s always difficult for him to be really objective sometimes, and even a bit harsh, and then come in and face the players.”
The part-time nature of international coaching allows Henry to do both, but it seems obvious that a club role will demand he gives up punditry.
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