Granit Xhaka is thriving at Arsenal as the Swiss star revels in his new leadership role.
The midfielder, formerly a captain at the Emirates, was stripped of the armband during Unai Emery's tenure after clashing with the club's fans. It bought to an end his short-lived tenure as the team's captain and led to rumours of him seeking pastures new.
Mikel Arteta convinced Xhaka to stay put upon his appointment and back in the summer asked him to support Martin Odegaard, who was named as the new captain, in a leadership role. He and Gabriel Jesus were called on to step up and take on the responsibility to assist the Norwegian, who is still only 23.
Arsenal continued their stellar start to the season by seeing off Tottenham in the north London derby. Xhaka scored the Gunners' third as they remain top of the table with the Swiss star excelling as he enjoys more freedom to press forward.
Arteta has long hailed his player, saying earlier this season: "His consistency. How he goes about every day, how he's learned through different moments in his career whether they are here or with the national team and his willingness over time to stay humble, look forward and try to get better and when you do that normally good things happen."
On his leadership desires, he claimed: "He was demanding it as well. I think he feels now that that love and respect goes both ways. I think you see our supporters the way they were singing to him as well. It makes him emotional, it makes him try to give even more and I'm really pleased for him because in my opinion he fully deserves it."
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Odegaard has confirmed he's turned to Xhaka for advice given his experience. The 30-year-old is into his seventh year at Arsenal and is an excellent sounding board for the new skipper. He said: “We have talked a little bit. He is a good friend of mine, and we are quite close. He is someone I talk to a lot and try to learn from.
"I think he is a great player and also a great leader. Of course, I talk to him and try to get the best out of me, and everyone else as well. I have to try to use [being captain] in a good way, of course. Obviously, there is a bit more responsibility being the captain and all that."
“But I try to do the same things, I always try to do the best for the team, I fight for the team, and I give 100 per cent always. I have to try to use it in a good way."
