Granit Xhaka’s Arsenal career has hardly been fantastic since joining the Emirates Stadium in 2016.
In many ways, Switzerland’s international is probably to blame for the fact that he is still at the club for the sheer lack of options that Mikel Arteta and his predecessor have.
Let’s be honest, being replaced and throwing the captain’s bracelet on the floor in disgust in front of your own fans is a pretty difficult thing to come back from at most clubs.
Granit Xhaka is a common feature when it comes to discussing Arsenal’s shortcomings Julian Finney / Getty Images
Whatever the reason he’s still in north London, he’s got more than his fair share of opportunities to work his way back to Arsenal fans’ good books, but so far he’s only managed to make himself an even bigger villain.
His back catalog of unfortunate mistakes that have led to goals is a sight to behold, with his mistake at Burnley a few weeks ago, perhaps the worst.
The 28-year-old was restored to Arteta’s starting XI for their clash with Slavia Prague in the Europa League on Thursday night, for what now looks like the club’s only realistic chance to secure Champions League football for next season.
While it may not have been a brilliant technical display from him – as it was obviously a whole series of fouls committed in the middle of the field – he saw his attitude and driving at night far away from the player we have seen throwing his arms in the air and sucking so often earlier.
Finally a breakthrough! ?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang combines with Nicolas Pépé who lifts the ball over Ondřej Kolář?
Relief for Arsenal! #UEL pic.twitter.com/i0SQZpJKem
– Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 8, 2021
In a boring deal, the Swiss midfielder was the only player in an Arsenal shirt who showed any kind of will to pressure the visitors and try to force a mistake.
Often, Arsenal’s top three of Willian, Alexandre Lacazette and Bukayo Saka would be completely immobile as the Slavia back line conveniently passed the ball between them, but still Xhaka was the one who ran 30 meters to speed them up and try to force the question.
With 15 minutes of play, Arteta rolled the dice and looked for a crucial goal to swing the balance in the tie in Arsenal’s favor.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli were all introduced, and they made an immediate impact when Pepe gave Arsenal the lead, but without Xhaka there would have been no opening goal.
The midfielder picked up the ball just outside his own box and was calm to take a touch and look up rather than hook the ball goallessly finished with Slavia players starting to surround him. His perfectly weighted ball over the top picked out Aubameyang and he in turn put it on a plate for Pepe.
Tomas Hole’s late goal denied Arsenal victory on Thursday night | Julian Finney / Getty Images
Xhaka is not suddenly a midfield genius by any means; there is ability in these moody boots, but so far his attitude seems to have been the biggest flaw in his game.
His performance against Slavia could not have been more different from the Xhaka we have come to know in the last five years, and he was rewarded with a leading role in the building of the Arsenal opener.
While the night may have finally ended in disappointment for Arteta as the Gunners handed over their lead with almost the final kick of the game, he can be pleased with the performance of his very malignant midfielder. Xhaka continues to show the fight he did on Thursday night, he was soon able to work his way back for the benefit of Arsenal fans.
