BT presenter says Keown was not entirely happy with Granit Xhaka

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BT Sport presenter Matt Smith has shared after Arsenal’s Europa League win over PSV Eindhoven how Martin Keown was shouting during the game whenever Granit Xhaka got too far forward.

Xhaka proved to be the surprise match-winner at the Emirates. The Swiss produced a superb finish with his right foot during the second-half to find the bottom corner and book the Gunners’ ticket to the knockout stages.

Of course, Xhaka has been a man transformed this season. His performances alongside Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard have been crucial to Mikel Arteta’s men topping the Premier League table.

Xhaka too far forward at times

And he is now making an impact in the final third. He now has three goals and three assists this season in all competitions.

Nevertheless, it turns out Keown was entirely comfortable with everything he saw from Xhaka during the win over PSV. According to Smith, the former Gunners star wanted Xhaka to be more disciplined at times.

“What the folks at home won’t know is that all those times that Granit Xhaka was creeping forward, we were sat here listening to Martin saying: ‘Get back! Get back! You’re supposed to be helping Partey deeper in the pitch’,” he told BT Sport.

Xhaka has been freed up this season. Previously, his reputation as a combative player saw him pigeonholed as more of a defensive midfielder.

At one stage at Leeds on Sunday, there was a moment when Xhaka was the furthest player forward when Arsenal were looking to press their opponents.

Obviously, the availability of Thomas Partey has made a big difference. That has given Xhaka the freedom to roam and get himself into the dangerous areas of the field.

And Arsenal are now benefitting. The 30-year-old is now pinging strikes in the bottom corner with his right foot on another impressive European night.