Micah Richards issues verdict on Granit Xhaka display in Arsenal win

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Micah Richards has told Sky Sports (broadcast on 13/3; 18:36) that Granit Xhaka deserves credit for an excellent performance for Arsenal as they beat Leicester City at the Emirates on Sunday.

The Gunners have returned to the top-four in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over the Foxes. Thomas Partey and Alexandre Lacazette scored in either half for the home side.

But in truth, there were outstanding performances across the pitch from Arsenal. Brendan Rodgers could not hide his admiration for Aaron Ramsdale following the game.

Of course, the likes of Partey and Martin Odegaard will take many of the headlines. But Richards was keen to praise Xhaka alongside Partey, suggesting that the Swiss is silencing many of his critics right now.

“I’ve got to mention Xhaka as well. I know he’s had stick in the past,” he told Sky Sports.

“Today, he was excellent, dominating that midfield. They were always in the right positions when Leicester attacked and they’ve got the base that they need for talent up front to go do what they do.”

Xhaka continues to shine in modified role in Arsenal midfield

Xhaka has struggled to shake the reputation for being something of a liability for Arsenal during his time at the Emirates. Fairly regular red cards or controversial moments have done his cause few favours.

With that in mind, some may be wary of getting too carried away with his current form. But it has to be said that Xhaka appears to be playing some of the best football of his Arsenal spell right now.

Mikel Arteta deserves credit for that. It appears that Xhaka’s role has been modified in more recent times. He is now playing slightly further forward, almost between Partey and Odegaard.

And he appears to have taken to that role superbly.

Only Odegaard made a greater number of key passes against Leicester on Sunday than Xhaka, according to Whoscored.

Some Arsenal fans may have been tempted to suggest that they would be open to Xhaka leaving this summer. However, that group of supporters is surely getting smaller and smaller as every appearance for Arsenal passes.