‘This can’t be happening’: BBC pundit stunned by what £30m player is doing at Arsenal right now

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Arsenal continued their unbeaten run in the Premier League, but weren’t at their best yesterday.

Mikel Arteta’s side came away from St. Mary’s with a point after a 1-1 draw with Southampton.

BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks picked one Arsenal player in his team of the week.

Midfielder Granit Xhaka made the cut after scoring his third goal of the season.

The Swiss international smashed the ball past Gavin Bazunu after an accurate cross from Ben White.

Xhaka is arguably playing his best football in an Arsenal shirt this season.

Credit has to go to Arteta for moving Xhaka into a more attacking role, and he’s certainly repaying the faith put in him to contribute more going forward.

Kevin Campbell has been stunned by Xhaka’s improvement and Crooks agrees that his transformation has been remarkable.

Crooks can’t believe Xhaka’s scoring goals now

Writing on BBC Sport, Crooks was in disbelief about the season Xhaka was having.

“This can’t be happening,” Crooks said.

“Granit Xhaka, once the most unpopular player ever in an Arsenal shirt, is scoring goals, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are playing out of their skins, the Gunners are still top of the table and I can’t see anyone stopping them at the moment.

“It’s like a nightmare unfolding in front of your very eyes.

“Thank goodness Arsenal are having to play three games a week including European football matches.

“Fortunately, the Saints played the Gunners at the right time. A fresh Arsenal would have destroyed Southampton.”

Xhaka has made himself indispensable to Arteta this season, appearing in every Arsenal match in all competitions.

Martin Keown has backed Xhaka to be handed another contract, and few Arsenal fans would begrudge that decision.

Initially signed for £30m from Borussia Monchengladbach, Xhaka’s time at The Emirates has been a rollercoaster.

However, he’s now firmly in the fan’s good books, especially with the Gunners still sitting top of the table.

The World Cup break is quickly approaching, and Xhaka and his teammates will be making one last push before the season is paused.