Paul Merson says Arsenal star Granit Xhaka has ‘turned up’ now

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Paul Merson has heaped praise on Arsenal star Granit Xhaka for the improvement he has shown over the last few months.

The Swiss international was constantly at the end of criticism in his first few years as a Gunner. He was even close to leaving the club at one point, but he’s now one of the first names on the team sheet every single week.

Paul Merson says Arsenal star Granit Xhaka has ‘turned up’ now

Mikel Arteta decided a few months ago that Xhaka is much better suited to a number eight role. He has been given a lot of freedom to push forward since the start of the campaign, and that is proving to be a masterstroke.

Xhaka has scored four goals already this season – that’s more than what he has managed in each of the last three campaigns combined. He has been fantastic so far, and Merson’s really impressed.

The pundit believes Xhaka has really turned up now. He thinks the Swiss international does not get enough credit for the job he does in the middle of the park for Arsenal.

Merson wrote in his column on Sportskeeda: “Granit Xhaka is playing for Arsenal now like he does for Switzerland. I used to watch him play for his national team and wonder why he couldn’t play like that for Arsenal.

“He has turned up now, and I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves.

“He plays for his manager, and he’s always been one of the first names on the team sheet.”

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Arsenal are currently on top of the Premier League table, and Xhaka is one of the biggest reasons why.

The likes of Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba have earned a ton of plaudits from fans, pundits and the media, but Xhaka’s performances have been just as good, if not better.

The £100,000-a-week (Spotrac) midfielder’s new position has made it extremely hard for opponents to contain the Gunners. He has made them really dangerous in attack, and if he keeps going, he could well end the season with 10 goals or more.

Arsenal take on Nottingham Forest next, and Xhaka is a guaranteed starter. He’d surely love to score again.