Crystal Palace manager and Arsenal invincible Patrick Vieira has hailed Granit Xhaka's influence on Mikel Arteta's team.
The Swiss midfielder almost left the Emirates Stadium back in 2019 but Arteta convinced Xhaka to stay at the club and turn down a return to the Bundesliga. The 29-year-old's infamously stormed off the pitch and aimed his anger at Arsenal supporters three years ago, nearly costing him his Arsenal career, but now plays a key role in the team.
Xhaka still has the odd mistake in his game but has matured under Arteta and started the 2022/23 campaign in fine form. The Switzerland international has been lauded by Vieira with the French manager admitting he sees similarities to his game in Xhaka with the Gunners currently sat top of the Premier League table.
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Arteta has handed Xhaka a deputy leadership role alongside new signing Gabriel Jesus following the decision to hand Martin Odegaard the armband and assume the role of club captain following Alexandre Lacazette's departure. The recent Amazon 'All or Nothing' series shows just how influential Xhaka remains off the pitch despite his captaincy being revoked by Arteta in the past.
Now, Xhaka has a new fan in former Arsenal star Patrick Vieira, as per The Mirror, with the Frenchman admitting he sees similarities in the Swiss midfielder's game to himself. When asked which stars playing in today's game remind him of himself, Vieira responded: "Xhaka at Arsenal, I think he is a team player, I think he is somebody you may not notice, you may not mention a lot but he is doing really hard work for the team."
The French manager continued his defence of Xhaka and added: "I know how good he is, and he will come through this difficult period because he's a strong man. He's a good player, and he will show how good he is.''
Xhaka has been one of the standout performers for the Gunners so far this season, highlighted by his performance in the 4-2 win over Leicester. Mikel Arteta is thought to want a new central midfield signing before the transfer window shuts, adding competition for the likes of Xhaka and Thomas Partey, which could see the Swiss international reach a new level.
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