Former Tottenham star Garth Crooks has slammed Granit Xhaka - despite naming him in his team of the week for the latest round of Premier League games.
Xhaka has been frequently criticised during his time at the Gunners, but has impressed under Mikel Arteta this season. His latest starring performance came on Sunday, when the Gunners picked up a commanding win at Brentford.
The Switzerland international played all 90 minutes in a box-to-box midfield role, producing a delightful assist for Gabriel Jesus' goal. His performance led to Crooks selecting him in his team of the week, though the pundit did not hide his long-held disdain for the Arsenal star.
"I don't like Granit Xhaka. I find him confrontational, overly aggressive and altogether irritating. Nevertheless, on his day he's a very good player. He should have left Arsenal years ago," he wrote in his BBC Sport column.
"However, for some reason he has not only stayed at the club, but also occasionally wears the captain's armband, such is his popularity these days. Against Brentford he looked very impressive and so did Arsenal.
"I would like to know why Brentford didn't look up for this game, but the Gunners were so good I rather suspect that even if they had it wouldn't have changed anything - Arsenal were that good. Most worrying."
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Xhaka was one of four Arsenal players selected in Crooks' team of the week, with Aaron Ramsdale, William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus also earning the honour. The pundit has no doubt Mikel Arteta is building a solid and successful squad.
"It has not been easy for Arsenal to find a number one goalkeeper and they have had nothing to compare with the likes of David Seaman. However, with Aaron Ramsdale it seems as if they have found a keeper who complements the sort of team Mikel Arteta is trying to create," he added.
"No heroics and certainly no tantrums - just an honest keeper prepared to do what is necessary. He is particularly good at spreading himself in one-v-one situations and did it very well against Brentford.
"I must say I expected a little more from Brentford, as I did from Ivan Toney considering his recent selection for the England team. However, both Brentford and Toney had to contend with William Saliba, who looks very dangerous in the opposition penalty area and as solid as a rock in his own.
"From the moment Gabriel Jesus put on an Arsenal shirt he's been playing like a man possessed. His enthusiasm and appetite for the game is immense. He's not just scoring goals for the Gunners but leading the line. Why Brazil haven't selected him for their national team during the international break is a total mystery to me."
The performances of the four players selected was enough to move Arsenal back to the top of the Premier League, one point ahead of reigning champions Manchester City. They are next in action in the top flight in a fortnight, when they face bitter rivals Tottenham in the first North London derby of the season.
