Granit Xhaka is stealing the show at Arsenal, and that's tough right now. With Gabriel Jesus' goals, Gabriel Martinelli's timely impact, William Saliba's defensive dominance and Aaron Ramsdale making a mug of everyone he comes across, Gunners fans are excited by their team once more.
Near the top of the growing list of positives is the re-emergence and massive U-turn from Granit Xhaka. The Swiss midfielder is now a fundamental cog in Mikel Arteta's machine and is fighting hard to stop Oleksandr Zinchenko from taking up a midfield spot of his own as well as keeping out Fabio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga.
The 30-year-old already has two goals and three assists this season in an advanced left-sided midfield role, more than he got last term - one goal and two assists. He has never scored more than four Premier League goals, only managed six in 108 Bundesliga matches and had scored only one league goal in four of his six league seasons, only getting more than two assists in one season.
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Credit has to go to the player and the manager for reinvigorating form that many supposed had long gone following a falling out with fans. Now he's one of the first names on the teamsheet and is showing his leadership characteristics again despite not having the armband.
Following Thomas Partey's opener against Tottenham, he pulled the team together in a huddle to regroup and would later go on to score the third goal. His game wasn't perfect, though, and the failed clearance that led to Harry Kane's penalty equaliser threatened to derail the game until the second-half.
Such is the new Xhaka, though, it is reported by the Daily Mail that he apologised for his role to his teammates during the break. Although it is just a small action, given that it was the largest blip in an otherwise commanding half, Xhaka taking responsibility is a good example to set for younger players in the squad and demonstrates the harmony and togetherness.
Xhaka has started and played all but two minutes of the season so far and has started 25 matches in a row under Arteta. Since a damaging injury this time last year, Xhaka has become one of the most important players for his manager and is righting some of the wrongs he made in the early stages of his career in London.
With Edu also looking to bring in an extra midfielder over the summer, something he is expected to pursue in January and next summer, Xhaka's development will only help to solidify his position in the squad.
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