‘Didn’t think he was Arsenal standard’: TalkSPORT pundit backtracks on ‘brilliant’ Gunners ace pre-Liverpool

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TalkSPORT’s Lianne Sanderson has been singing the praises of Arsenal star Granit Xhaka, after his impressive start to the season.

Xhaka has been pushed further forward this year with Mikel Arteta looking to get more from the Swiss midfielder in an attacking sense. And so far, it’s paying dividends, with Xhaka popping up last week against Tottenham to fire in the crucial third goal.

And Sanderson, speaking on TalkSPORT yesterday, believes Xhaka deserves credit for coming back from the brink.

“I want to give Granit Xhaka credit, what an amazing story he’s had. Two years ago, Arsenal captaincy and booed off the pitch and then he’s captained the team in the Europa League,” Sanderson said on TalkSPORT.

“I think it’s brilliant and I’ve been critical of him in recent years because I just didn’t think he was Arsenal standard. But he’s been brilliant, I think it has a lot to do with the system but that finish in the NLD, he dropped the shoulder, we all know he’s always had a ping.”

Xhaka has become one of the most respected players in the Arsenal dressing room. As seen in the All Or Nothing series on Amazon, the midfielder seems to be revelling in being one of the more experienced players among a predominantly young group.

TBR’s View: Xhaka Brilliant For Arsenal

Granit Xhaka is a prime example of what a bit of hard work and getting your head down can do. He could have sulked and left a few seasons back but no, he is a man reborn.

Mikel Arteta deserves some credit for this as well but Xhaka is the one who has to perform and his efforts this season have been nothing short of phenomenal.

If Arsenal are to beat Liverpool this weekend, then Xhaka will be absolutely key.