Mikel Arteta has overseen a thorough turnaround at Arsenal since replacing Unai Emery in 2019. From micro-managing a group of superstars to building a dynasty close to their first league title in nearly two decades, the Gunners boss deserves lots of praise.
Upon his arrival from Manchester City, Arsenal were struggling. Arsene Wenger's final years at the club had turned sour and Emery, maybe, was the right man at the wrong time.
Taking over the third-most successful English football club as your first job as head coach brings with it immense pressure. Having had to manage a difficult few months of heavy pressure during the Covid-19 lockdown, the former Gunners midfielder is now leading the way in the top flight.
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Many factors have contributed to Arteta's success in north London. The minor tactical tweaks and astute transfer business have been key. However, the astonishing development of one individual under his leadership has proved many wrong.
Granit Xhaka has done a splendid job of silencing his doubters in the past 18 months. The Swiss midfielder has been a mainstay in Arteta's midfield alongside Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard.
His performances and influence has drastically improved since Arteta arrived three years ago. Most will remember his infamous outburst in the 2019/20 season when he turned on supporters at the Emirates Stadium against Crystal Palace.
With the game level at 2-2, Emery replaced Xhaka with Bukayo Saka after an hour. Instead of following the normal procedure when leaving the pitch, the midfielder cupped his ears at supporters.
Arteta took his time to stamp his authority on Xhaka. His red card in the 5-0 defeat against Manchester City last season was the 11th of his career andcast further doubt on his future. After the incident at the Etihad, it wasn’t only the current Arsenal boss that was critical of Xhaka.
Wenger slammed his tackling ability. "It's more the way he tackles that is not really convincing," he said. It wasn't the first time the Arsenal icon criticised the Switzerland international's discipline. In 2017, Xhaka was sent off against Burnley and Wenger did not hold back. "I think he's not naturally a great tackler," the Frenchman explained.
“I would rather encourage him not to tackle, to stay on his feet and that’s the best way to deal with it.
"Tackling is a technique that you learn at a young age. You can improve it but when you are face to face with somebody, it’s better you stay up.”
The discipline side of Xhaka's game has been one of the biggest issues of his career at Arsenal. In total, he has received five red cards and 75 bookings. And while many attributes of his have improved in the past 18 months, it's his tackling statistics this season that have ultimately proved Wenger wrong.
In 28 Premier League appearances, Xhaka has only received four yellow cards and no red cards. Statistically, to the eye, it's much better. But it's not until you delve deeper into his numbers where you begin to see the clear progress he's made.
According to the official Premier League website, Xhaka has won 77 per cent of his 26 tackles. Along with him winning more duels than he's lost and making 120 recoveries, the former Basel man has significantly improved in the defensive part of his game - despite playing a more advanced role in Arteta's style.
Xhaka is a key cog in Arsenal's squad and he's done an outstanding job at restoring his career in north London. Arteta has helped to establish Xhaka as one of the best all-round players in his position, something Wenger and Emery failed to do.
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