Mikel Arteta has revealed that he spoke to Arsenal star Granit Xhaka at the end of last season demanding he have more of an impact in the attacking third. The Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League with 12 wins from 14 games and it's absolutely fair to say that Xhaka has succeeded in the task set by his manager.
In the previous three seasons, the 30-year-old had provided three goal contributions in each campaign yet within just three games of the 2022/23 season, he had matched that tally. A goal and an assist in the 4-2 win over Leicester and an assist against Bournemouth showed that Xhaka had certainly taken his manager's advice on board and thus endeared himself in the eyes of Arsenal fans.
Midfield contributions have been a particular strength of the Gunners this season, with Thomas Partey also adding goals to his game along with Martin Odegaard, who sits as the Gunners top scorer, following his brace against Wolves, before the season was paused for the World Cup.
