Granit Xhaka scored his third goal of the season in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over PSV to take the Gunners five points clear at the top of Group A in the Europa League. This was his sixth goal contribution of the season, a credit to the 30-year-old for not only adjusting but flourishing.
That said, perhaps the adjustment is completely misunderstood. The former official Arsenal captain has always shown these qualities for Switzerland but is now displaying them for the Gunners.
Whilst playing so many games, he has been partnered with both Thomas Partey and Albert Sambi Lokonga depending on both fitness, availability and rotation. Both players contrast in ability, natural position and experience.
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Xhaka was asked after the match by football.london whether he has to adapt his game depending upon which midfield partner he operates with. The Swiss midfielder admitted that whilst he does, everyone who comes is contributing.
“Yes and no, everyone has their own quality,” Xhaka said. “Thomas [Partey] has much more experience than Sambi but listen we are a big squad, everyone who comes in at the moment is doing a great job.
“You try to help the team whoever you are, if you have experience or no experience, you have to help each other. That’s the most important thing.”
Xhaka was in high spirits, naturally, after the game. It is particularly impressive how he has maintained his level despite playing in every single match of Arsenal’s season so far.
He is aware of his age and what his body can and cannot take, nevertheless, he has completed every Premier League game bar one so far, in which he was substituted for Lokonga against Bournemouth in the 88th minute. Asked how he keeps on doing it, he was initially but playfully cautious of revealing his recipe for success.
“It’s a secret!” he said laughing. “No, I am joking.
“Listen, I am 30 years old, I know my body better than before for sure. When you are young, you are different, you think different.
“When you are 30 you know your body, you know exactly what you need more of and what not. Of course, you have your private people around helping you with everything, with the food, with the recovery and stuff like this. At the moment everything is working well.”
Xhaka will inevitably play on Sunday against Southampton and few would bet against him having some say in the match’s scoreline be it with a goal or an assist. He has found his peak and with Arsenal sitting top of the Premier League table and their Europa League group, it could not have come at a better time.
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