TBR View: Granit Xhaka completes remarkable Arsenal transformation 12 months after rock bottom

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A year ago this week Granit Xhaka walked off the Emirates Stadium turf to a chorus of boos from the Arsenal faithful. The Swiss midfielder gave the crowd ironic applause and his Gunners career seemed in jeopardy.

At the time the midfielder was the captain of Arsenal and since that day he hasn’t worn the strap in the red and white of the Gunners.

What he has done, however, is in the space of just 12 months completed one of the most remarkable u-turns ever to grace the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal Football Club.

From the moment Unai Emery was replaced by Mikel Arteta, Xhaka has knuckled down and made it his sole purpose in life to receive some love from the Arsenal faithful once again.

Last season he played in all but one game since football restarted, proving one of Arsenal’s better midfielders under Arteta’s management; helping the club to the FA Cup in the process.

This season he has picked up where he left off, starting five and coming on as a substitute in the other, with Arsenal winning three of their six games so far.

According to Who Scored, the 28-year-old has a pass success ratio of 89.5% for this season and he has shown real quality under Arteta.

There is still work for Xhaka to do, especially following the arrival of Thomas Partey who joined from Atletico Madrid in the summer.

The Gunners are hoping to fire in four competitions this season and each player will play their part during a tough run of fixtures, however.

Considering where he was a year ago he has made great strides and the £100,000-a-week Xhaka looks like being a useful asset for Arsenal once again this season.